Police Were Provoked

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 11:16

Written by ND Staff

The independent presidential team appointed to probe the 7 November riot has issued its final report, concluding that leaders of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) provoked the police and therefore sparked a riot that left one person killed with threats to the runoff presidential election the next day, 8 November 2011.

The committee, with the respected Catholic nun Sister Mary Laurene Browne, as chair, concluded amongst others that:

“The leadership of the Congress for Democratic Change provoked the violent confrontation that resulted in the death of one Liberian and injury to several others.

“That the leadership of the Congress for Democratic Change bears the greatest responsibility for the climate of fear, anxiety and insecurity which existed on November 7, 2011.That only one known death occurred during the disturbances and acts of violence at or near the CDC compound.

That at least six demonstrators sustained bullet wounds in the legs (calves) and thigh.”

The Committee’s report, full text to be published, includes the following points:

At some point during the disturbances the Chief of Patrol of the Liberian National Police, Assistant Commissioner Nelson Freeman entered the CDC compound, which was UNMIL’s military command post with his service revolver drawn from its holster and in his hand. UNMIL military moved to disarm Commissioner Freeman as it was against UNMIL policy to bring weapons in or near their command post.

A struggle ensued as a result of the action to disarm Assistant Commissioner Freeman; and this incident led to his discharging of a live weapon that was witnessed by onlookers in the CDC compound.

Before the crowd could be contained, the tension of rock throwing and tear gas return increased at a heightened tension level. At least one Liberian citizen was killed and dozens injured as a result.

The disturbances subsided at about 4:30 pm and a cursory review of the CDC compound by UNMIL personnel and other eyewitnesses showed that one person was dead, at least two persons lay unconscious and scores of others with minor injuries.

The demands of the CDC to reschedule the date of elections and to reconstitute the Elections Commission were considered by the National Elections Commission, as being unconstitutional.

The CDC then called for a rally to be held on November 7, 2011 at its National Headquarters. Meanwhile the NEC relying on the Elections Law of Liberia ordered campaigning for the runoff election to close by 11:59 pm November 6,2011.

Credible intelligence, passed on to the General Commander of the ERU revealed that CDC intended to be provocative during the rally. The intelligence was passed on to the LNP so that the force could be both operationally and psychologically prepared for such provocation.

By eleven o’clock am on November 7, 2011, the President of Liberia convened a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the prevailing situation.

The meeting produced a general consensus, communicated to the top leadership of the police present, that lethal force was not to be used as a means of crowd control and that maximum restraint by the LNP is exercised in dealing with the rally and attendant circumstances around the headquarters of the Congress for Democratic Change.

By eleven o clock a.m, security personnel from UNMIL and the Liberian National Police had arrived in the vicinity from Old Road Joe Bar to the CDC compound…”