UNMIL/PIO/PR/13
(Monrovia, Liberia) - General
Daniel I. Opande, the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in
Liberia (UNMIL), and Defense Minister Daniel Chea yesterday visited Gapo
Town in River Cess County to investigate reports of ongoing fighting between
former Government of Liberia (GOL) militias and forces of the Movement
for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL). Gapo Town is a ex-GOL enclave in MODEL-held
territory.
Meeting with ex-GOL battlefield commanders, Gen. Opande called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He informed them about the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation (DDRR) process and told them to remain in their present positions until they were disarmed. He also directed them to remove all roadblocks from the main access roads to enable civilians to move freely and warned them that commanders would be held accountable for atrocities committed by their troops.
The Defence Minister reminded the fighters that UNMIL could not make peace for Liberia, but could only help Liberians to make peace. He instructed the combatants to arrange a meeting of the chiefs and elders in the area with UNMIL on Saturday, 15 November, and to ensure that Gen. Koffi, the commander of the GOL forces in the area, attend the meeting.
The Force Commander and the Defense Minister also visited some 300-400 ex-GOL militia at Compound No.1 near Buchanan to investigate skirmishes and harassment of civilians along the Monrovia -Buchanan highway. Mr. Chea ordered that Gen. Samuel, the commander of the troops in Compound No. 1, be immediately relieved of his command. Earlier, three militia members identified as having committed rape were arrested by UNMIL forces and transferred to the Liberian Police .
Gen. Opande directed the immediate disarmament of all militia in Compound No. 1. The disarmament exercise will be conducted by UNMIL Military Observers and troops on Friday, 14 November.
For additional information contact
the Public Information Office
United Nations Mission in Liberia, Tubman Boulevard, Congotown (Monrovia),
Liberia
Phone + (39 083) 1446000 (voice mail prompt) ext. 171 -4213 or 4222
Cellular + (377 47) 530-074 or (377 47) 531-131