LIBERIA: Opposition parties urge government to accept dialogue
Liberian opposition parties have called on the government to heed a recent call by the West African states economic community (ECOWAS) for an immediate ceasefire saying that Liberians preferred "ballots not bullets" as a way of attaining state power.
U N I T E D N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)
LIBERIA: Opposition parties urge government to accept dialogue
ABIDJAN, 23 May (IRIN) - Liberian opposition parties have called on the
government to heed a recent call by the West African states economic
community (ECOWAS) for an immediate ceasefire saying that Liberians
preferred "ballots not bullets" as a way of attaining state power.
In a statement on Thursday, the Unity Party called on the government and
rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) to
put down their arms and engage in dialogue, PANA reported. The Liberia
People's Party also issued a similar statement on Thursday.
A diplomatic source in the capital, Monrovia, told IRIN on Thursday that
several political parties have in the last days issued separate statements
in support of ECOWAS' call.
He said that there had been agitation for dialogue from different
"quarters", including religious organisations. "But the government has
maintained that dialogue with the rebels would put it at par with rebels,"
he said.
On Tuesday, the government rejected a call by ECOWAS for an immediate
ceasefire saying this would also give the rebels an opportunity to re-group.
It, however, expressed interest in a regional intervention force, as
suggested by ECOWAS chairman, President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal last
Friday.
"Calling for a ceasefire at a time when the Liberian government has already
broken the back of a very large attack in Gbarnga, in Arthington and in
Klay, will only give the terrorists the opportunity to regroup and attack
Liberia," BBC quoted Liberian Information Minister Reginald Goodridge as
saying.
According to the diplomatic source, the government's stand puts the
situation in the country in a "rather volatile and precarious" condition.
"It could lead to increased fighting," he said.
[ENDS]
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