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Government Closes Schools

The Analyst (Monrovia)
NEWS
November 2, 2004
Posted to the web November 2, 2004

The government has suspended academic activities indefinitely in the aftermath
of the weekend violence that hilled several people and damaged several
structures, including a Muslim high school.
Information Minister William Allen was quoted as say that schools would remain
closed until otherwise ordered. The closure of schools was prompted by the
current security situation in the city.
Catholic school authorities had already taken a similar decision before the
official announcement from the Information Minister.
Tensions had arisen in and around the capital, Monrovia, since Friday as riots
flared up after what seemed to be a private dispute over land degenerated into
a full-sale violence. Over 16 people were killed and several mosques and
churches were burnt before UN troops were able to restore order.
The three-day riot coincided with the UN deadline for the disarmament of
Liberia's combatants expired.
The riots began Thursday night as youths carried our revenge attacks in which
more than 14 people were killed. UN troops fired warning shots and arrested
over 100 people.
The violence came as the UN deadline for the disarmament of combatants expired.
UN special envoy Jacques Klein said 94,000 fighters gave in their weapons.
Riots flared up again in Jacob Town Sunday with members of the Mandingo tribe
and other tribes fighting each other. The 4 p.m.-7 a.m. curfew remains in
force. Residents are allowed to come out in search of food and other essentials
before dawn.
Klein asked Liberians for information pertaining to hidden weapons. He said
both the Liberia and UNMIL police would conduct cordon and searched operation
for arms as soon as they receive hints about hidden weapons.
Riot Suspects Appear In Court There were weeping and wailing as the first batch
of 30 persons suspected of involvement in the deadly weekend riots that swept
across the city made their first appearance in court yesterday.
No pleas were taken and the accused, ages between 14 and 25, were remanded in
custody at the Monrovia Central Prison on South Beach.
They were provisionally charged with "terroristic threats" and acquainted with
their rights to due process. The court granted the defendants their right to
bail but our reporter said they were sent back to jail pending the filing of
their bail bonds.
Hearings are expected to begin on Friday.
As the accused were being taken out of court to be remanded in custody, they
and their relatives who went to watch the proceedings broke down in tears.
Some of them said they were merely mistaken for rioters as they said they were
trekking in their communities when United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
arrested them.
Some women shed tears, saying they do not have money to hire lawyers to plead
the cases of their children. They feared that their children would face
conviction and imprisoned indefinitely.
The accused were held under tight security and were two to a handcuff.
16 people are now reported to have died and over 200 others arrested in the
aftermath of the weekend riot, which also resulted to the looting, and
destruction of thousands of dollars worth of property in and around Monrovia.
The widespread riot reportedly stemmed from a dispute over land but it quickly
degenerated into an ethnic and religious dimension with irate youths attacking
churches and mosques.

   

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