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Tubmanburg No More Rebel Territory Ex-Commander Tells Ex-Combatants

The NEWS (Monrovia)
NEWS
July 1, 2004
Posted to the web July 1, 2004

By Stanley Mcgill
Monrovia
Tubmanburg, Bomi County has been totally relinquished to the Transitional
Government and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
This was done Wednesday when former rebels of the Liberians United for
Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) turned over the police station there to the
Liberian National Police.
The occasion was attended by Military and Civil authorities of UNMIL,
Government officials and former commanders of LURD. Tubmanburg had been the
former rebel group's stronghold since June 2003.
Many of the ex-combatants who had turned in their weapons to the international
peacekeepers were also at hand to witness the "flag-handover" ceremony which
was marred by traditional songs by elderly women hailing from that county.
Ordinary citizens who were just returning from displaced and refugee camps also
gathered at the site where the ceremony was held to catch a glimpse at the
soul-touching occasion.
Former rebel Commander Abu Donzo, the most senior LURD representative at the
occasion, told his men to consider themselves civilians and not as soldiers any
more.
Donzo told the former fighters that this was a "straight instruction" from
their leader, Sekou Damate Konneh, and that they should submit themselves to
civil authority and UNMIL.
He acknowledged that there have been lots of reports of harassment of returning
citizens by the former fighters, but he said thank God that nothing last
forever.
Another former senior LURD commander, Col. Savana, said prior to the Wednesday
ceremony, his men had curbed harassment and banditry in the area and that they
were happy to turn the place over to the Liberia National Police who will now
take control of combating crimes in the city.
Both commanders told their men to abandon factional loyalty, and take advantage
of the ongoing recruitment exercise with the Liberia Police Service.
Earlier, Pakistani Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Javid Iqbal told Liberians to
see the occasion as the beginning of sanity and stability following years of
fighting.
Col. Iqbal, Commanding Officer of Pakistani 1st Battalion in the region,
assured that his country will remain committed to the attainment of peace not
only in Liberia, but the entire world where there is conflict.
Internal Affairs Minister H. Dan Morias represented Head of State Charles Gyude
Bryant at the ceremony.
Minister Morias told the former LURD fighters that they had their reason for
taking up arms, but that it was now time to forget the past and rebuild the
country.
He said he was happy to witness an occasion where the former rebel group could
be handing over its territory to the National Police.
He told them that they have demonstrated that they were prepared to form a part
of the Government.
He also said gone are the days when they used to receive instructions to go
"capture or clear the area."
Liberia National Police Deputy Director Asumana Kromah, welcomed the move, and
assured that his men would be deployed immediately to take control of the
region.
He assured the citizens that the police will make a difference in ensuring that
the rule of law is applied.
The ceremony took place at the main offices of the Police in Tubmanburg. The
building was partly renovated but needs office equipment and logistics to make
it functional.

   

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