ANOTHER LAND DISPUTE TURNS VIOLENT

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000952 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV ASEC CASC LI SUBJECT: ANOTHER LAND DISPUTE TURNS VIOLENT REF: A. MONROVIA 466 ¶B. IIR 6 859 0039 09 ¶1. (U) According to several sources, violence broke out November 18 between two adjacent towns in the Tapeta District of Nimba County, Dumpa Town and Zoaplaye, over disputed communal farm land. The Tapeta District is primarily Gio whereas Dumpa Town is predominantly Mano. For some time the residents of Dumpa Town have felt marginalized and have sought to be aligned with neighboring Saclepea District. ¶2. (U) Violence apparently began when residents of Dumpa Town came across a group of youths from Zoaplaye and assaulted them. At least one person was injured from a shotgun blast, and at least five others slightly hurt, but we have been unable to confirm accounts of one dead. In the ensuing violence, village huts were burned down, rubber trees uprooted and at least one bridge set ablaze. ¶3. (SBU) Local Liberia National Police (LNP),lacking their own resources, received assistance from local UNPOL units to access the area. They were further hampered by the damaged bridges. (Note: It is unclear whether the bridges were burned specifically to impede access by security forces. End note.) In the end, LNP, UNPOL and UNMIL units were able to reach the affected area. ¶4. (SBU) By the evening of November 19, the situation was reportedly calm. However, the GOL had received information that both sides were reinforcing their numbers for a possible return to violence, so the Inspector General of Police dispatched 35 LNP officers from Monrovia to the area. Two UNPOL advisors traveled with the contingent. The situation remained calm as of the morning of November 21, according to the LNP. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The violence occurred in a remote area of the country, and localized between the two towns. We are not aware of any Amcits in the area and the only NGO that operates in the area, the Norwegian Refugee Council, is aware of the situation. This is the most recent instance of land disputes leading to violence (Ref A) and of the need for the GOL to move forward on land reform before such violence spreads or evolves into inter-ethnic or political violence. It also demonstrates the GOL's near reliance on UNMIL support to maintain order. The only good news is that it seems the LNP for once has taken proactive measures to keep the peace rather than being solely reactive. THOMAS-GREENFIELD