Lennart Dodoo
Africa-Press – Liberia. The United States Embassy in Liberia has issued a strong condemnation of the recent outbreak of violence in Foya, Lofa County, which occurred on September 29, 2023. The embassy expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and called for an immediate end to the violence.
In a statement released on September 30, the U.S. Embassy stated, “The United States condemns the violence and loss of life that reportedly occurred in Foya, Lofa County on September 29. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and urge everyone to maintain the peace. The US Embassy calls upon authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. Political differences must be solved at the ballot box, peacefully, and never through violence. Violence is never the answer.”
The violence erupted amid political tensions in the region. According to reports, members of the Unity Party in Lofa County were accused of vandalizing newly erected streetlights and attempting to destroy newly constructed infrastructure, allegedly belonging to Representative Thomas Fallah. However, the Unity Party campaign spokesman, Mo Ali, claimed that the incident was triggered by supporters of Rep. Fallah, who allegedly began throwing stones at Unity Party members from his fence.
Two fatalities have been reported as a result of the violence, and several individuals, including a law enforcement officer, sustained injuries. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene with protesters chanting slogans and engaging in stone-throwing.
Ernest Duku Jallah, a supporter of the ruling CDC in Foya, stated that Rep. Fallah had advised his supporters to stay off the streets and avoid wearing the party’s T-shirt to make way for the Unity Party campaign launch in the district. However, Jallah claimed that Unity Party members went on a rampage, destroying streetlights and attacking individuals they believed to be CDC supporters.
Journalist Garmah Lomo, reporting from Foya, described witnessing the violence. She explained that Unity Party members gathered at a major intersection near Rep. Fallah’s compound to welcome other party members for a scheduled event. According to her account, members of the CDC at Rep. Fallah’s compound began throwing stones at them, leading to an exchange of stone-throwing between the two groups.
Lomo reported the destruction of streetlights and an incident where a motorcyclist with a CDC campaign sticker on his bike was allegedly mobbed and fatally injured. In retaliation, CDC members reportedly set up a roadblock and threatened harm to any Unity Party members who crossed it. This escalation resulted in the beating of an older individual believed to be a Unity Party supporter.
Mo Ali, the Unity Party campaign spokesman, claimed that it was well-known in Foya that the Unity Party was holding an event in the district and did not anticipate interference from the ruling CDC.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has dispatched a team to Lofa County to investigate the incident and keep the situation under control.
The team is mandated by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to fast-track the investigation and report its findings the soonest.
The Joint Security Media Relations Team will today provide an initial update on the incident in Foya, Lofa County.
Supporters of rival political parties are urged to desist from violence during and after these elections, and strictly adhere to the Farmington Declaration signed by all political parties.
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