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As October
31st Deadline For Disarmament of Fighters Draw Closer Despite
effort being applied by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to
adequately make Liberia a 'gun-free society' as of the 31st of
October, 2004, a date set to end the disarming of armed factions in the
country Liberians are alarmed of danger ahead, as Monrovia is said to
still be infested with arms, even if the deadline for disarming is met. During
a survey conducted by our Monrovia Correspondent, several residents of
Monrovia are expressing fear of the danger been foresee after October
31st, the deadline of the end of disarming of all the armed fighters in
the Liberian conflict. "My
son, Monrovia after the 31st of October, 2004 arms will still be the
city. These boys are still in control of these dangerous weapons used
during the crisis." A class room teacher in her early 50s, Ma Mary
Johnson told our Monrovia Correspondent during an interview. This
lady is among several others who during the survey expressed fears,
with the end of the disarmament exercise less than two weeks away.
"Monrovia will still be infested with arms, even after the deadline
is closed. Thousands of ex-combatants who were actively involved in
the war are still in control of their 'issue', the arms."
Another Liberian, a junior student at the University of Liberia, Sarah
Kollie, adding her voice to the alarming situation said. "I
am not too comfortable with the cut-off time of the DDRR programs, as
announced by UNMIL because Monrovia has not been thoroughly searched and
ridded of hidden arms". Mr. Edward Slanger, a businessman in a
serious mood said. Mr. Slanger however lauded the effort of the UNMIL for
the 'mature and professional manner' in which the security situation is
been carryout. As
the deadline for disarming of all fighters in the Liberian conflict of
October 31st draw closer, UNMIL authorities here have made it clear that
after the deadline anyone found with arms after the deadline will be
treated as a common criminal and prosecuted on charges of possessing illegal
arms and ammunition. |
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