–– Applause Liberia National Police for Restoring Calm to Foya

IPNEWS:  The United States,  ECOWAS and the United Nations have condemned Friday’s rival clashes that led to the loss of lives and injuries in Foya City, Lofa County. 

In a separate statement issued Saturday,  September 30, 2023, the United States expressed condolences to the bereaved families and victims of the rival clashes that occurred in Foya, Lofa County on September 29.

“We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and urge everyone to maintain the peace. The US Embassy calls upon authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. Political differences must be solved at the ballot box, peacefully, and never through violence. Violence is never the answer,” the U.S. Government statement reads.  

For her part, days into the run-up to the October 10 Presidential and Legislative Elections, ECOWAS and the United Nations (UN) have noted with grave concern Friday’s violence that broke out in Lofa County between the Unity Party (UP) and the Coalition for Democratic Change (CD C), leading to the loss of three lives, which they condemn in the strongest terms.

In a four-count joint statement,  ECOWAS and the UN extend deep condolences to the families of the deceased,  encouraging parties, to respect the spirit of the Farmington River Declaration 2023, which calls for the protection of human rights,and under the due process of the rule of law.

ECOWAS and the UN also called on leaders of the UP and CDC to strongly urge their partisans to refrain from provocation and any other acts of violence.

They further invite the UP and CDC to fully cooperate with the LNP in the ongoing investigations.

The joint statement further states that ECOWAS and the UN commend the Liberia National Police (LNP) for promptly restoring calm.

They urge the LNP to conduct speedy and impartial investigations, make public their findings, and ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted.

Furthermore,  ECOWAS and the UN called on the media to be responsible in their reporting so as to avoid inflaming the volatile situation.

“ECOWAS and the UN call on all stakeholders and the public at large to continue upholding the values
of peace, accountability, respect for the rule of law, in order to consolidate peace and security in Liberia
during this critical electoral period,” the joint statement concludes.