Liberia's Fragile Peace on the Brink of Collapse: Rebel Leader Denies Attacks on African Peacekeeping Force

Strategic Insights -

Liberia's fragile peace is on the brink of collapse as rebel leader Roosevelt Johnson denies responsibility for attacks on the African peacekeeping force, ECOMOS, that have left 10 dead and more than a dozen others wounded. Johnson, a prominent figure in the Krahn wing of the Armed United Liberation Movement, claims that the peacekeeping troops attacked his forces to give the impression that Krahn started the fighting. Despite efforts to maintain calm, fighting erupted in the western town of Tubmanburg, with reports of heavy losses on both sides.

Key Takeaways:

  • Roosevelt Johnson, leader of the Krahn wing of the Armed United Liberation Movement, denies responsibility for attacks on ECOMOS peacekeeping forces that have left 10 dead and more than a dozen others wounded.
  • Johnson claims that ECOMOS peacekeepers attacked his forces to give the impression that Krahn started the fighting.
  • At least seven Nigerian soldiers were killed by Krahn rebels in Tubmanburg, 40 miles west of Monrovia.
  • Johnson holds the post of Liberia's development minister and has been in Monrovia since the faction-led government was sworn into office on December 1.
  • The peacekeeping forces sent an additional 500 troops to help thwart rebel advances in Tubmanburg.
  • Johnson claims that African peacekeeping force has prevented him from going into Tubmanburg to get a personal account of the situation.
  • Civilians who arrived in Monrovia reported that the peacekeepers' base camp and the local Red Cross office were hit by mortars.
  • Johnson claims that peacekeepers killed several of his troops and were "indiscriminately" shelling civilian targets.
  • A detachment of U.N. military observers was withdrawn from Tubmanburg to Monrovia.
  • U.N. officials reported that the peacekeepers have adopted an "uncompromising attitude" to the war, with heavy losses at the hands of the rebels.
  • Fighting erupted between Johnson's forces and those loyal to his chief of staff, Armah Youlu, over a disagreement about the leadership of the National Bank of Liberia.
  • International aid agencies held an emergency meeting to discuss sending medical supplies to Tubmanburg.
  • The national army, known as the Armed Forces of Liberia, mustered troops to fight alongside the peacekeeping force, violating the Abuja peace accord.

Statistics:

  • At least 10 people were killed in the attacks on ECOMOS peacekeeping forces.
  • More than a dozen people were wounded in the attacks.
  • Seven Nigerian soldiers were killed by Krahn rebels in Tubmanburg.
  • 500 additional peacekeeping troops were sent to Tubmanburg to help thwart rebel advances.
  • Five peacekeepers were wounded in an attack by rival Ulimo factions in a northwestern Liberian village.
  • Four vehicles were seized by Ulimo factions in the same attack.
  • A relief convoy belonging to the British charity Oxfam was hijacked by a faction loyal to Kromah, with food and four vehicles looted.

Sources:

  • United Press International
  • Reuters
  • The Associated Press
  • "U.N. and military sources have said" (unnamed)
  • "An U.N. official told United Press International" (unnamed)