President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of condolence to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the death of former Chief of Army Staff and Force Commander of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), peacekeeping force in Liberia and Sierra Leone, ECOMOG, retired Lieutenant General Victor Samuel Leonard Malu.

Lt. Gen. Malu served as Chief of Army Staff under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration from May 1999 to April 2001. Later in his career, he served as ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia and Sierra Leone from December 1996 to April 1998.

He died in the early hours of Monday, October 9, at a hospital in Cairo, Egypt. He was 70 years old.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Liberian leader, in the message to her Nigerian counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, said, “In this hour of mourning, I extend to you, and through Your Excellency, to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially the bereaved family, heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people of Liberia and in my own name, for the irreplaceable loss sustained.”

President Sirleaf characterized General Malu as “a decorated soldier who will be remembered in Liberia for risking everything including his personal life in the search for peace in Liberia”.

The Liberian leader stressed that on this sad occasion, Liberians of all ages and social stratum wish to pay tribute to his selfless work in the country to secure peace and stability; and in doing so, he will always be remembered as a man of professionalism, discipline and bravery, which was clearly demonstrated during the time of greatest need in Liberia.

She further prayed that as the people of Nigeria mourn its great departed son, the Almighty Allah will grant President Buhari and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the courage and fortitude to endure this difficult period of bereavement.