Editing Armed Forces of Liberia (section)

===Peacekeeping operations===
In 2013, the AFL deployed a platoon as part of the [[United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali]] (MINUSMA), marking the first time that the AFL had operated abroad since the [[United Nations Operation in the Congo]] in the early 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201306210920.html|title=Liberia: AFL Off to Mali At Last|date=June 21, 2013|access-date=January 7, 2018|via=AllAfrica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610195941/http://allafrica.com/stories/201306210920.html|archive-date=June 10, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Initially under Nigerian command, the AFL platoon came under Togo Contingent Command when Nigeria withdrew from the mission. Despite some initial logistical problems the platoon performed admirably, performing patrols and VIP escort duties. The deployment has now seen a number of rotations:
* Platoon 1 (Capt.? Nathaniel Waka) – 45 personnel strong; June 23, 2013, to June 26, 2014<ref name="ReferenceA">'AFL Peacekeepers Return Today', ''Heritage'' (Monrovia), June 26, 2014</ref>
* Platoon 2 (Capt. Ernest A. Appleton) – June 26, 2014, to June 25, 2015<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Kwanue, C.Y., 2015, 'A Profile: Commander of AFL 2nd Batch From Mali', ''Liberian Daily Observer'' (Monrovia), July 2, 2015, accessed October 2, 2016, <{{cite web |url=http://liberianobserver.com/news/profile-commander-afl-2nd-batch-mali |title=A Profile: Commander Of AFL 2nd Batch From Mali |access-date=2016-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002194456/http://liberianobserver.com/news/profile-commander-afl-2nd-batch-mali |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}></ref>
* Platoon 3 (Capt. Stephen T. Powo) – June 25, 2015, to September 2, 2016<ref>'Liberian Peacekeepers in Mali Return Home June 25', Liberia News Agency, June 23, 2015.</ref><ref name="auto">http://mod.gov.lr/our-heroes-return-from-peacekeeping-mission/ Our Heroes Return from Peacekeeping Mission, Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Liberia, accessed February 8, 2017 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080409/http://mod.gov.lr/our-heroes-return-from-peacekeeping-mission/ |date=February 11, 2017 }}></ref>
* Platoon 4 (Capt. Forkpah Tarnue) – September 2, 2016, to ...<ref name="auto"/>

From February 2017 the Mali deployment was increased to a 75-strong contingent,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/news/4746-afl-deputy-chief-of-staff-represents-liberia-at-un-chiefs-of-staff-conference-in-new-york|title=FrontPageAfrica Newspaper – AFL Deputy Chief of Staff Represents Liberia At UN Chiefs of Staff Conference in New York|last=Reporter|first=FPA|website=www.frontpageafricaonline.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815131436/http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/news/4746-afl-deputy-chief-of-staff-represents-liberia-at-un-chiefs-of-staff-conference-in-new-york|archive-date=August 15, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> growing to a company of 105 personnel, with additional military observers and staff officers, from September 2018. In August 2019 training was completed of another company, the sixth rotation, due for deployment in September 2019.<ref>Parley, W.W. (2019) 'Experts Prepare Liberian Troops for Mali', ''The New Dawn'' (Monrovia), 8 August 2019.</ref>
  
May 3, 2017, saw the first Liberian soldier killed on deployment with MINUSMA.  Corporal Sheriff Ousmane was killed when a rebel group fired mortars into a UN base near Timbuktu.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201705120733.html Tamba, G.T. (2017) 'Tears Greet Cpl. Sheriff Ousmane's Remains', ''Liberian Observer'' (Monrovia), 12 May 2017, accessed 14 May 2017 via Allafrica.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515232513/http://allafrica.com/stories/201705120733.html |date=May 15, 2017 }}></ref>  Seven other Liberians were wounded in the bombardment, three seriously so, together with a Swedish peacekeeper.<ref>Kamara, S.P. (2017) 'MOD Speaks on Troops' Casualties', ''The New Dawn'' (Monrovia), 5 May 2017.</ref>

During January 2019 the Ministry of National Defense announced plans to send a platoon-size contingent of peacekeepers to the [[United Nations Mission in South Sudan]] (UNMISS).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/afl-contingent-to-join-un-peacekeeping-mission-in-south-sudan-defense-authorities/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212524/https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/afl-contingent-to-join-un-peacekeeping-mission-in-south-sudan-defense-authorities/|url-status=dead|title=AFL Contingent to Join UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan – Defense Authorities', ''Liberian Observer'' (Monrovia), 8 January 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref>