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| East/Subsaharan Africa |
| Liberian rebels ’moving on capital’ |
| 2003-06-06 |
| Looks like Charles Taylor might be on his way out, now if things in this part of Africa go true to form, then the remnants of his Army and Government will take to the bush as a rebel group, while the current LURD rebels will take over the capital and prove to be just as corrupt and incompetant as their predecesors. If Taylor does go however, it might help end the civil wars in Guinea and Ivory Coast, since he is more responsible for those wars then anyone else. Rebels in Liberia are reported to have entered the suburbs of the capital, Monrovia, as President Charles Taylor struggles to hold on to power. At the same time, aid workers said thousands of refugees had fled in terror from camps on the outskirts of the city. The refugees were trying to reach the centre of Monrovia despite the army trying to block them, said Ramin Rafirasme, West African spokesman for the World Food Programme. "People are in the street, in the rain. The situation remains very tense in Monrovia. We are very worried by the situation of these people," he said. Witnesses contacted by reporters by phone also tell of fighting near the town of Duala, four kilometres from Monrovia, where rebels were trying to capture a bridge leading directly to the city. Liberian military sources have acknowledged a thrust by rebels into the capital's outskirts. They say the rebels were beaten back but then returned with heavy fire. |
| Posted by:Paul Moloney |
| #4 There are some damn good mercenary groups in Africa these days. Big corporations hire them all the time. The UN (or the US for that matter) should hire them to take over Liberia after rebels and government beat each other up. Give the nation over to someone else to care for under the watch of the UN Trusteeship council. When they have a secure, stable nation they can get independence again. Liberia should probably be the US responsibility since President Monroe pretty much created it (diamond revenue would ensure it wasn't a monetary black hole at least) but I'm willing to let the French take on the burden if they have even a slight desire. |
| Posted by: Yank 2003-06-06 19:23:27 |
| #3 MONROVIA, June 6 — Rebels fighting to overthrow Liberia's President Charles Taylor have crossed a key bridge that opens their way into the capital, fleeing civilians said on Friday. The bridge over the Saint Paul River is just over 10 km (six miles) from the centre of the coastal city of Monrovia. ''The rebels have crossed the bridge. The situation is serious,'' said one man fleeing towards the centre. Others confirmed his account. Another bridge stands at the entrance to the administrative heart of the city. Witnesses had said earlier the rebels advanced at first light on Friday to sprawling, now deserted refugee camps just beyond the city before crossing the bridge. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-06-06 13:59:11 |
| #2 But Taylor is now wanted for crimes against humanity and has hardly a friend in the world, whereas the LURD are thought to have the backing of some regional states that are sick of Liberian support for rebel groups in there own countries. Taylor might be able to survive this, but I wouldn't be suprised if this is the begninning of the end for him too. |
| Posted by: Paul Moloney 2003-06-06 09:20:44 |
| #1 But, they're always moving on the capital. It's been this way for years. |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-06-06 08:22:56 |