—– As Police Dispatches Rapid Response Unit to Lofa County

IPNEWS: Reports from the Northern Liberia county of Lofa’s Foyah District, are that there were deadly clashes early Friday, September 29th,  between supporters of the opposition Unity Party and the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and that at least four persons are feared dead.

This figure  could not be independently verified by IPNEWS due to continuing tension.

The authoritative Independent Probe Reporter in Foyah District, quoting eyewitnesses say, clashes ensued when hundreds of supporters of the opposition Unity Party gathered early Friday morning to welcome a team of citizens of Foyah residing in the Americas. These citizens recently returned to canvas for their tribalman, former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai. According to the reports, it was during this time of the welcome that they allegedly came under sustained “attacks” from some unidentified persons, who were said to have been housed in the hotel of incumbent Montserrado County, District N0. 5 Representative Thomas Fallah. Fallah is now contesting for the representative seat in Foyah District on the ruling CDC ticket.

According to the eyewitnesses, the incident led to supporters of Unity Party retaliating bringing the clashes into an uncontrollable scene.

By mid-day, the violence had spread throughout central Foyah, particularly alongside the Shalom Road leading to the hotel of Rep. Fallah. Eyewitnesses told IPNEWS that saw two unidentified dead bodies believed to be supporters of the Unity Party.

At the sub-station of the Liberia National Police, officers were seeing calling for reinforcement from its Voinjama detachment before dark as they weren’t able to contain the situation.

Back in Monrovia, Police spokesman, Moses Carter, acknowledged the violence in Foyah and told IPNEWS that officers of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) Voinjama detachment were headed to the scene to beef up the police unit currently stationed in Foyah District.

Carter further said that the government will provide details on the Friday incident at a major press conference on Saturday, September 30.

Unity Party’s Campaign spokesman, Mo Ali, told this newspaper that the incident is intense and could speak little about ongoing clashes as it was difficult to get party officials in Lofa County, including Foyah.

He reaffirmed that at least four persons are feared dead from preliminary reports from the district.

Lofa County’s district #4 Representative Francis Nyumalin also declined to speak elaborately to IPNEWS due to the fluidity of the situation but assured newspaper of subsequent interview as the situation subsides.

The clashes come barely a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken threatened to impose visa restrictions on persons instigating violence during and after the Liberia’s Presidential and Legislative Elections slated for October 10, 2023.

In a release issued late Wednesday evening, Secretary of State Blinken announced the new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for those undermining democracy in Liberia.

The Chief US diplomat further said the US will impose visa restrictions on officials who were allegedly involved in the manipulation and rigging of the electoral process, as well as those involved in alleged acts of intimidating voters, election observers, and civil society activities.

“Under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Sierra Leone, including through the manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; intimidation of voters, election observers, or civil society organizations through threats or acts of physical violence; or the abuse or violation of related human rights in Sierra Leone,” Mr. Blinken said in a statement.

The policy, which takes effect in advance of the upcoming election, will affect officials of the government and others who are or will be involved in the manipulation and rigging of the electoral process, as well as those involved in alleged acts of intimidating voters, election observers, and civil society activities.

“The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Liberia and around the world. Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for those undermining democracy in Liberia. This policy will take effect in advance of the upcoming election,” the US Secretary of State said in the release. “Persons who undermine democracy in Liberia — including in the lead-up to, during, and following Liberia’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.”

Under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Liberia, including through manipulation or rigging of the electoral process.

The restrictions will also affect officials of government and other stakeholders who will use violence to prevent people from exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly; the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views; or engagement in any other activity designed to improperly influence the outcome of an election.

Certain family members of such persons, the US government said, may also be subject to these restrictions.

In a swift reaction,  the government of Liberia has welcome the United States Government visa restriction policy.

In a statement by Information Minister, Mr. Ledgerhood J. Rennie, the Government of Liberia stated that it welcomes the latest United States Government’s visa restriction policy intended to target those who undermine democracy in Liberia.

“This policy, the government believes, further reinforces President George M. Weah’s expressed commitment to building a more democratic society – grounded in respect for the rule of law, free expression, and association, as well as the holding of free and fair elections.”

“This was the central theme of his address to the UN General Assembly last week and during various conversations with U.S. stakeholders – including U.S. Charge d’Affairs Catherine Rodriguez.”

“The Government believes the U.S. statement, coming at a time when incendiary rhetoric by politicians have been on the rise, will aid its efforts to calm public anxiety around the upcoming democratic exercise,” Mr. Rennie, Minister,  Ministry of Information, read.