Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Monrovia (Fides Service)- “We seem to have gone back at least a year to the atmosphere of violence and anarchy which pervaded Liberia for years” Father Mauro Armanino, regional superior of the Society for African Missions (SMA) in Monrovia told Fides with regard to clashes in which at least 4 people died and twenty were wounded. “Since a curfew was enforced, the city is in an unreal situation of calm and silence. There are no cars on the streets and only a few people going about their business. The city is patrolled by Irish rapid intervention troops belonging to the United Nations organisation which has sent 15,000 peacekeepers to monitor the peace agreement and oversee disarmament of militia groups which should end tomorrow 31 October .
During fighting overnight on 28 October, several buildings including churches and mosques were sacked. “However, rather than religious clashes the violence would appear to be an explosion of tension deriving from years of violence and frustration” Father Armanino told Fides. “For example during the presidency of Charles Taylor, the Mandinga people, mostly Muslims, were chased from their homes and their land was confiscated and distributed to the supporters of the then President. Not by chance the main guerrilla group which fought Taylor, LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy), was formed mainly of Mandinga. Now those who lost homes and land want them back and this naturally leads to tension and violence”.
“Yesterday’s clashes were caused by at least three factors. First of all tensions from the past. Secondly new power balances still in a stage of settling. But the most important factor consists in the conditions of the people. Despite a year of cease fire and the presence of many UN aid agencies, the conditions living conditions have not improved much. Many are still without homes or jobs, some even lack food” Father Armanino told Fides. “At the same time, the model of reference being imposed is unreachable for most Liberians. For example, a second mobile phone company is about to open in Monrovia. Can there really be such a demand for mobile phones that a second operator needs to open in a city where many districts are without running water or electricity?” the missionary asks. “Young men who fought in the civil war see their chiefs getting rich and they want their share, in the only way they know, with violence” Father Armanino concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2004 righe 36 parole 476)
