Fighting Reported Again In Central Liberia

By: C.Y. Kwanue

 

The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted November 4, 2003


Despite the seating of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), that comprises all factions in the Liberian crisis, fighting has again erupted and wracked the people of Nimba County.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 'Focus on Africa' program monitored yesterday evening reported renewed fighting in the county with rebel fighters over-running string of towns and villages.

Although the BBC report failed to name the rebel group involved in the attack in the northern Liberia county, the areas mentioned including Graie and Gbanquoi, near the central highland town of Saclepea, are towns close to where the rebel group, Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) have been fighting pro-government militia and the civilian population.
Already, United Nations Military Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Force Commander, Gen. Daniel Ishmael Opande, who according to the report confirmed the news of the renewed attack on Nimba, was reported to have dispatched troops to the embattled zone for "Verification."
If the news of the renewed fighting is anything to go by, then the towns of Zuolay, Zuatuo, Toweh's Town, and Kpaiyetuo might have all been overrun by MODEL who are based in Tappita for a couple of months now.

The rebel fighters are said to have also burnt down towns and villages while scores of persons are reported to have been killed or wounded in the attack, according to the BBC.
Meanwhile, Nimbaians residing in Monrovia will today hold a mass emergency meeting to address themselves to the constant rebels attack on their county.


© 2003: This article is copyrighted by The Inquirer newspaper (Monrovia, Liberia) and distributed by The Perspective (Atlanta, Georgia). All rights reserved.