Photo: L'Observateur Palaga

Ivorian militia.

Members of the House defense committee that recently visited Abidjan on a security mission have alerted government authorities in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire to decisively address Cote d'Ivoire's security crisis in order to prevent its spill-over into Liberia.

"We think that what is happening in Côte d'Ivoire....if it is not handled properly by both governments, it would have an adverse effect on Liberia. Yes, if proper care is not taken in handling the situation, it could spill-over into Liberia," House Defense Committee Chair, Rep.George S. Mulbah, warned at a press conference here late Sunday .

"We as a government should take the situation at the border very seriously. We should encourage our soldiers by providing incentives that would make them committed in manning our borders against mercenary activities, else, if the current situation deteriorates, it would have an adverse effect on our country," he stressed.

Rep. Mulbah, who spoke following their return from holding security talks with government officials in Abidjan, called on both governments to "strengthen their security organs against mercenary activities since related ethnic groups frequently cross the common border for social and commercial interactions.

"When there is no peace on the other side of the border, we too could have the same problem. So we are recommending the establishment of a Defense Attache at the Liberian Embassy in Abidjan with a mandate to provide intelligence for both sides of the border.

"By that, we would be able to trace down people who are engaged in subversive or mercenary activities," Rep. Mulbah suggested.

He said, while in Abidjan, his delegation which included another lawmaker and national security advisor, Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, encouraged Ivorian officials to engage in a national reconciliation drive that would bring citizens from diverse ethnic backgrounds together to discuss means to sustain peace in their country.

"We also urged them to ensure that the spirit of democracy is upheld by allowing members of the opposition to have free will in expressing themselves," Rep. Mulbah added.