Riot breaks out in Liberia ahead of presidential polls
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Xinhua, November 8, 2011
A fresh riot broke out on Monday in Monrovia, Liberia's capital city, with casualties feared and properties being destroyed ahead of Tuesday's presidential run-off election.
A Xinhua reporter in the city said anti-riot police and UN peace keepers on Monday in Monrovia fired tear gas at supporters of the main opposition party in Liberia, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), as their peaceful rally turned violent.
Police said some of the protesters were armed.
The group is calling for the stoppage of the presidential run- off, slated for Tuesday.
The date was fixed after the first round of ballot on Oct. 11 in which 16 parties participated, did not produce a clear winner, leaving only the Unity Party of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and CDC.
Opposition party's leader Wisnton Tubman announced his party would not participate in the run-off, claiming that the electoral commission was already biased.
CDC supporters gathered as early as 6 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) carrying placards.
Police arrested some rioters but it could not be ascertained if any demonstrators sustained injuries.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned opposition's planned pullout, and advised the party and all Liberians to endeavor to vote on Tuesday.
The ECOWAS Commission said this would ensure a credible outcome and assist in the consolidation of democracy in the country.
This call was contained in a statement issued by the commission in Abuja on Monday.
The statement specifically appealed to Winston Tubman and all Liberian stakeholders to actively participate in the presidential run-off.
"They are equally urged to refrain from all unconstitutional practices that may mar the concluding phase of the electoral process," the statement added.
It cautioned political leaders, individuals or groups against instigating their fellow citizens to violence as they would be held accountable for their actions.
Tubman had threatened to withdraw from the run-off election and called on CDC followers and Liberians in general to stay away from the polls.
He cited unaddressed CDC complaints about voting irregularities in the course of the Oct. 11 elections.
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