Liberian President Joseph Boakai announced on Monday the appointment of Major General Charles Johnson (retd.) as the Director of the National Security Agency, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
This appointment follows Johnson’s resignation as Minister of National Defence several months ago. Previously, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia for six years.
Despite being born in Monrovia, Johnson’s military training is deeply rooted in Nigeria, where he completed one of his officers’ courses at the Nigeria Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State. He also graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant after completing Officer Candidate School in 2007, Johnson served in various capacities within the AFL, including as Military Assistant to former Minister of National Defence, Brownie J. Samukai Jr.
In 2014, Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf promoted Johnson to Brigade Commander of the 23rd Infantry Brigade, marking him as the first Liberian to hold this position in the AFL post-Liberian Civil War.
Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the United Methodist University, earned in 2004.
