March 24, 2003
More than 30,000 residents of the central Liberian town of Gbarnga and surrounding villages have reportedly fled their areas after rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) reportedly retook the town last week. Most of the escapees are said to have made their way to Totota and Kakata.
Aid workers operating between Totota and Kakata said most of the escapees appeared weary and exhausted due to long-distance walk. Aid agencies are said to be providing assistance to women, children and the elderly. There has not been any report of civilian casualty. Defense Minister Daniel Chea told a news conference at the weekend that military commanders have been instructed to open corridors for the civilians to leave the embattled town and other surrounding areas to safer zones.
He said residents of the town had been given 48 hours to leave the town as Government troops were preparing a massive counter offensive to repel the rebels. "The rebels will regret why they took the town", Minister Chea said. Minister Chea explained that the rebels took the town at 10:45 a.m. last Friday. However, the BBC reported that the rebels met little resistence when they captured the strategic town. This is the second time the rebels have reportedly captured the town. Last year the rebels took the town but were later driven out by Government troops.
Last week, rebel forces reportedly seized Camp Naama, a military barracks also in central Liberia. The capture of Camp Naama reportedly preceded fierce fighting at the St. John River bridge linking Bong and Lofa Counties. Government troops were said to have crushed the rebel attacks at the bridge. Reports of the latest fighting come at the time when the Government, political stakeholders and rebels are expected to attend a peace conference in Bamako, Mali.
The conference is expected to center around crucial issues that would lead the way to free, fair and transparent democratic elections in October this year. There had been reports that the rebels have made several proposals. Among the proposals, the report said included the deployment of a stabilization force, an interim government among others.
However, the Liberian Government has rejected calls for the deployment of a stabilization force, instead it has recommended a capacity-building force. The Government has also rejected call for an interim government, terming it as unconstitutional.
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