Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MONROVIA952
2008-11-21 17:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Monrovia
Cable title:
ANOTHER LAND DISPUTE TURNS VIOLENT
how-toVZCZCXRO6863 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHMV #0952 3261739 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211739Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0557 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
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
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
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