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Security Degenerates in Bong Mines

The NEWS (Monrovia)
NEWS
July 14, 2005
Posted to the web July 14, 2005

By Monrovia

Expatriates Under Threat
The security situation in the former mining town of Bong Mines has degenerated
amidst reports that ex-combatants in the area have threatened to kill
expatriate doctors and other community dwellers.
In a letter addressed to the Sector 1 Commander assigned at the James Spriggs
Airfield, the German Emergency Doctors, commonly known as, CAP Anamur, which
manages the Bong Mines Hospital, said the ex-combatants are forcefully taking
things from homes at night with silent weapons.
The letter also indicated that the former fighters are breaking into the homes
of community dwellers at night threatening to kill them.
Although there has been no report of killing so far, however, there are
indications of systematic threats against the expatriates and peaceful
citizens.
According to German Doctors, they anticipate more problems in the area for the
fact that the Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP) has just ended
its first phase and is requesting to take only few of the ex-combatants for its
second phase.
Due to the growing insecurity in the area, the German Emergency Doctors have
withdrawn from Bong Mines until the situation there improves.
The German group has been operating in the Bong Mines providing free medical
services to community dwellers. They have tackled some of the critical medical
cases that affect local people who do not have the means to come to the urban
area for treatment.
Of late0, ex-combatants have threatened strike action if benefits and other
support are not provided that would facilitate their return to vocational
school.
Meantime, this Paper has been informed of the deployment of UNMIL Bangladeshi
squad in Bong Mines.

   

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