5 Persons Arrested In Nimba’s Electoral Violence; Joint Security Removes Ghanaian IT Expert From Liberia
The Joint Security has confirmed the removal from the country of a Ghanaian, Sumson Essien Jr., from Liberia and back to his home, Ghana, after a Joint Security investigation established that he entered Liberia and engaged in employment without resident and work permits, in violation of the Alien and Nationality Law and the Decent Work Act of 2015.
The law requires that an alien who has traveled to Liberia to first obtain a resident and work permits before engaging in employment activities in the country.
The suspect was arrested in Rivergee County after he was intercepted and interrogated by security officers about the nature of his work, and required to produce his resident and work permits.
When he failed to produce the required documents, the government began the removal process, and has since made arrangements with the Ghanaian embassy near Monrovia to help reunite their compatriot with his family in Ghana.
While it is believed that Essien arrived in Liberia to do a contracted work, he should have exhausted the provisions of the labor and immigration laws.
This action by the Joint Security was taken in keeping with law, and is void of any prejudice. It is rather intended to ensure that foreigners travelling to Liberia adhere to established procedure.
Hence, the Joint Security reassured the public that the November 14, 2023 election will be held under a peaceful atmosphere. “Anyone who attempts to threaten the peace and stability of the state during the run-off election will be held liable and will face prosecution,” a joint security press release stated.
Meanwhile, five persons have been arrested and are under investigation in connection with violence that took place in Zorlay Town, district #3, Nimba County.
The Joint Security Special Investigative Team has been mandated by the Minister of Justice to expeditiously investigate the matter and ensure that those responsible for the violence, which resulted into injuries, are made to face the full weight of the law.
It can be recalled that on Friday, November 10, 2023 there was a clashed in Nimba County’s electoral district #3 between supporters of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and opposition Unity Party (UP) in collaboration with Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR). It all started when Anthony Quewonkpa, the defeated Representative-candidate of district#3 and supporter of President George Weah’s reelection bid in the run-off election and his family were having a memorial service for the late General Thomas Quewonkpa in Zor Zualay Town. The memorial service was graced by huge supporters of the CDC, since the Quewonkpa family are supporting the President’s reelection. On the same Friday, UP and MDR supporters had planned to have a political gathering in Zor Guoguatuo, a town behind Zor Zualay. The only road to Zor Guoguatuo, where the UP political rally was held, passes through Zor Zualay.
The UP, MDR and CDC supporters clashed in Zor Zualay when Senator Jeremiah Koung, running mate to Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, and Senator Prince Johnson were in route from Zor Guoguatuo for the political program.
Several persons got wounded as a result of the riot. Those wounded have been taken to the hospitals in Ganta and Karnplay. No death has been reported, according to information. Police investigation is on-going to establish the cause of the violence in that part of the country, although it is reported that a single barrel gun was fired.