WEST AFRICA: GROWING SENSE OF TENSION IN WAR TORN LIBERIA

(13 Jan 1996) English/Nat

Unrest in the Civil War-torn West African state of Liberia continues to erupt.

On Thursday rebels from the United Liberation Movement for Democracy (ULIMO armed with grenades and spears took over the National Bank in protest at the dismissal of its governor.

The protest was resolved without violence, but the incident has added to a growing sense of tension in the country.

A West African peace keeping force is trying to implement a peace accord signed last August, but has been attacked by rebel forces in the diamond rich region in the north west.

The rebel convoy of ULIMO and the Liberian Peace Council leave the capital Monrovia for the frontline.

On Thursday their supporters took over the National Bank for the day after its governor was replaced.

The bodyguards of the leaders Roosevelt Johnson and George Boley mete out rough justice to a hapless motorist who happened to crash into the convoy.

The bodyguards then took the man's car as compensation for wrecking their own.

They continued on to the West African peacekeeping force ECOMOG's checkpoint at the Po River bridge.

They had to wait before permission was given, but they were soon on their way again.

Two miles beyond the bridge ECOMOG's influence ends and bandit country begins.

These are the lawless roads that British novelist Graham Greene wrote about so vividly in his book, Journey Without Maps.

Along the way the bodyguard remove the barriers as they approach the ULIMO frontline.

ULIMO has been waging a running battle against ECOMOG forces. Clashes have killed 10 peace keepers and dozens of civilians in the last week.

ULIMO and L-P-C supporters greeted their comrades from Monrovia with war dances and song.

Next stop was the town of Klay, 25 miles north west of the capital.

Just beyond was the burnt out ECOMOG convoy which rebels had destroyed in the recent fighting.

The destination was Tubmanburg, scene of clashes between ECOMOG troops and rebels.

Residents say the West African peacekeeping force shelled the town, killing many people.

SOUNDBITE:
"Q: Where there any people at the hospital?
So many people died."
SUPER CAPTION: Woman witness

SOUNDBITE:
"She got killed. She died.
Q: How old was she?
She was a young woman. About 25."
SUPER CAPTION: Male witness

Liberia's civil war began in December 1989 and formally came to end in August 1995.

An interim government was installed in September to prepare for elections this year, but the violence continues despite the ceasefire.

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