ERU Clashed With Robbers
Barely two weeks since the In Profile Daily reported an arm robbery scene that left many victims in Tusa Field New Georgia area; there had been a reported case of gun battle involving some members of the newly trained Emergency Respond Unit (ERU) of the Liberia national Police and a host of robbers.
According to an eyewitness account, suspect Sunny Egai a Nigerian and four others allegedly of the same nationality came under attacks over the weekend on the scene of crime in the Congo Town Community by some ERU Officers.
A man only identified as Baltimore said he became part of the suspected robber’s early Friday evening when he unknowingly entered a room they occupied and met them loading their riffles in properness for attack that night.
“The asked me to join them scene I have seen their operation or else stand to lose my life. That was how they give me a pistol to use,” Baltimore said.
He explained that being peaceful minded and eager to expose their deeds, he (Baltimore) quickly called his uncle to inform the ERU to be at their house before night falls in order to grab the suspected robbers before their disbursement.
He noted that unfortunately for him the Police did not react fast based upon that, they (Police) met the suspected robbers already on their move.
When contacted, Police Spokesperson Mr. George Bardue confirmed the report and said Sunny Egai the only suspect detained from the shoot out, was arrested with two single barrier pistols and five bullets.
Mr. Bardue noted that several arrest were made including the man who tough to be hosting the suspects and there are more to be made while Police investigation is ongoing to take those connected with the act.
As TRC Drops Bomb
-Gov. Organizes Peace Conference
As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report continues to spark up condemnation and immense support from the public with diverse views, a week long Peace Building Training Conference opened in Monrovia to abase or eradicate the number of conflict related cases in Liberia.
Addressing the opening session of the conference on Monday July 6, 2009 the House Standing Committee on Peace and National Reconciliation, Grand Kru County Representative Wesseh Blamo acknowledged that there has been ambiguity or lack of consensus in the concept and understanding of peace building. Something he said is amongst relevant players to a conflict and the many process involve with them that need to be properly addressed in other to experience lasting peace in the country.
Representative Blamo asserted that he is of the strong conviction that the ongoing conference will seek to contribute to the prevailing TRC report situation, more importantly be used as a conduit to discuss mechanisms through which conflict issues are clearly articulated and peace efforts are more involving, participating and move from concepts to practice.
The Grand Kru County Lawmaker maintained that concrete recommendations be drawn from the process and participants should practicalize the basic skills they might acquire during the conference.
Making remarks at the occasion, Internal Affairs Minister Ambulai Johnson noted that peace is an integrate approach to stability and is hugely dependent upon for national investment.
Minister Johnson disclose that the government of Liberia is during all it can to uphold the tendency of democracy to ensure that peace building initiative remains a major player in the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Also marking remarks, the Chief organizer of the conference and Executive Director of Peace Building Office (PBO) Wilfred Gray-Johnson stressed the importance of such program as the need to engage in conflict mapping, dialogue and mediation for the progress of the country.
Director Gray-Johnson called on the Liberian citizenry to see the peace building office as a part of the larger society and asked them to engage the office at all times, as their doors are open for the god of Liberia.
The Liberia Peace Building Office (PBO) organized the conference in partnership with the African Center for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) a South African based organization.
The conference brings together 35 participants from Civil Society, the United Nations, Private Sectors and Government Ministries among others.
EX-WARLORDS SPROUT!
Ex-warlords and Signatures to the Comprehensive peace Accord (CPA) negotiated and signed in Accra Ghana, have sharply reacted to the recent reports and recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC), describing it as politically motivated.
Addressing a major press conference yesterday at the Monrovia City Hall, the Ex-Warlords said recommendations made by the Commission for certain people to be prosecuted while others were given lesser punishment and some excluded is a clear indication that the TRC’s mandate was not carried out the right way.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the ex-warlords, the head of the disbanded Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) rebel group, Thomas Yaya Nimely noted that the CPA was carved for reconciling Liberians, but such decision by the commission to target certain people has the propensity to derail the peace process, he maintained.
“We are saddened and disappointed by the final report of the TRC. We wish to remind Liberians that the CPA was a product of individuals and collective sacrifices in lives, blood, sweat and tears of thousands of Liberians,” he asserted.
Referring to Article 13 of the CPA, the former rebel leader said the intent of the TRC was to provide a forum that will address issues of impunity as well as opportunities for both the victims and perpetrators of human rights violations to share their experiences. He hinted that this was done in order to get a clear picture of the past and facilitate genuine healing and reconciliation.
Tactically, he accused the Verdier Commission of persuading its own agenda and programs, separating alleged victims and perpetrators and prejudicially assigning blames, judgment, punishment and selective pardons.
Mr. Yaya Nimely said they would not follow the decision of the TRC, on grounds that the recommendations made are prohibited by Article 97a of the Liberian Constitution and an act passed on August 8, 2003.
According to him, the act grants immunity for both civil and criminal proceedings against all persons within the jurisdiction of Liberia from acts of crimes committed during the civil war from December 1989 to August 2003.
Meanwhile, the ex-warlords have described as calculated attempt recommendations made by TRC and something intended to take the Liberian peace process back to the past; even though that have assured Liberians that they are not going back to war but urged the National Legislature to confine to the Liberian Constitution as it reviews the recommendations.
