The New Dawn (Monrovia)

Liberia: Gov't Rejects Ethnic Security Hunt Claims

19 June 2012

The Government of Liberia has categorically distanced itself from attempt by some unnamed individuals to drag it into ethnic political games to distort security measures taken against 10 suspects thought to be involved in the recent crossed border raid into neighboring Cote d'Ivoire, reportedly killing at least seven UN peacekeepers.

The Government of Liberia warns that while it supports the rights of any of its citizens to subscribe to views and exercise free speech, it will not condone the abuse of such free speech by anyone, who may want to infuse ethnicity into serious national security matter as the case in hand suggests.

In a statement issued in Monrovia Monday, the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) emphasized that government's action in issuing the alert against the 10 persons is well-intentioned; and not about a particular ethnic group as being rumored in some quarters.

In a very serious tone, government warns those putting ethnic face on the security measures being taken to secure Liberia's borders to desist as their actions have the propensity to ignite unnecessary ethic sentiments in the body politics of the country.

MICAT said government's alert is about consolidating peace in the sub-region and securing Liberia's border, adding that government gets no incentive by going after its citizens without any security intelligence.

Meanwhile, the Liberian Government has encouraged all of its citizens and residents to abide by the current security measures, while reemphasizing its call on those named in the alert to willingly turn themselves in to the police, as in the case with Abednego Zleh and Ofori Diah.

Government's recent alert on the 10 suspects followed the reported attack at the Liberia-Ivory Coast Border said to have been masterminded by Liberia mercenaries. At least seven United Nations (UN) Peace keepers from Niger on mission in the neighboring country were reportedly killed in the incident.

  • Comment (1)

Copyright © 2012 The New Dawn. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 130 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.

Comments Post a comment

  • jenkinsallen
    Jun 19 2012, 17:48
    Report Abuse

    If the Liberian government wants to arrest those in connection with the Ivory Coast crisis, it should be fair enough to list those who fought from the Liberian border from Nimba county 2010-2011. There were Liberian who fought on the of side President Alansan Outharra , they also committed crimes, if you remember the massacre in Duokere in Western Ivory Coast. Those who are now occupying the border towns, have we ask how they became inhabitants of those towns? if you don't know I'll tell you, they became citizens after Alanssan Ouwattara took power. They over ran those who once lived there, do you expect those they chased to not come back? Think again UN and Liberian Government!