LPP Vice Standard Bearer seeks US intervention
--Condemns car ramming in Monrovia
By Lincoln G. Peters
The Liberian People’s Party (LPP) Vice Standard Bearer Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo has termed as “terroristic,” the horrific incident of a car ramming through jubilant Unity Party (UP) partisans in Monrovia.
The incident occurred late Monday evening, 20 November 2023 at UP headquarters after the National Elections Commission (NEC) declared the opposition party as winner of the presidential run-off.
Dr. Yarkpawolo-Urey in his Facebook post, called on the outgoing President George Manneh Weah-led government to get the US government involved for swift investigation.
At least three victims were reported dead, and several others injured.
It was reported that while supporters of opposition Unity Party were celebrating the victory of President -elect Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, an unknown grey vehicle ran into a crowd of cheering UP supporters.
As of 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 21 November, Doctors at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital had confirmed that three persons had died, and that two other cases were critical.
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Doctors also reported that 15 others had sustained various injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises, to fractured limbs, and broken ribs. Others sustained head injuries and brain injuries.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo-Urey, based on the testimonies of eyewitnesses and the violent threats attributed to Facebook users with names Kai Doe and Prisca Pauline, one can conclude that the violent act was an act of ‘terrorist.’
He defines terrorist as a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
“Since the Liberian security sector has limited capacity to investigate terrorism, I am calling on President George Weah to formally invite the American Government to help with the investigation of this cruel act of barbarism,” said Dr. Yarkpawolo-Urey.
“With the Americans’ involvement in the investigation, we will get to the bottom of the investigation, findings of which will restore confidence in the Liberian justice system,” he argued.
Following the incident, the Liberia National Police (LNP) said it had in its custody a man accused of being the driver of the vehicle that rammed through the Unity Party partisans. Police said they are investigating the case.
