PHOTO: L-R- Simeon Taylor (CPP), Sen. Victor Watson (CDC)
As President George Weah warns that government will not condone violence, there is claims and counter claims over the eruption of pre-election violence that took place in Dambala, Porrkpa District in Liberia’s western Grand Cape Mount County.
None of the parties have taken responsibility for the violence in which left several persons wounded and two vehicles reportedly set ablaze by supporters of the candidate of the ruling CDC party.
Simeon Taylor, Senatorial candidate for the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) has accused supporters of his rival incumbent Senator Victor Watson of triggering the violence last Saturday by firing up to hundred single barrel rounds into the air and setting his two campaign vehicles ablaze.
Mr. Taylor told the media that several of his supporters were attacked and injured and he himself had to flee into the bush for his life.
But Senator Watson denied the claim and instead accused the CPP candidate and his supporters for instigating the violence.
Sen. Watson told the local OK Fm radio Monday morning that in fact few of his supporters sustained injuries and blamed the CPP candidate’s supporters for opening fire.
Writing on his Facebook page, Montserrado County District # 17, Representative Hanson Kiazolu, who is on Taylor campaign team said: “Rep. Bob Sheriff of the CPP from Grand Cape Mount co house was also vandalized during the attack. As head of the CPP campaign team in Cape mount co. tactically and narrowly escaped such… attacks.”
Meanwhile, President Weah has strongly condemned a reported act of political violence which took place in Porkpar District, Grand Cape Mount County, ahead of Tuesday’s Senatorial elections.
According to a Sunday, December 6, 2020 press release signed by Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie, President said the government will not condone such violent action by any group of citizens and political party.
He was referring to reports that a convoy belonging to the opposition CPP Senatorial candidate in Grand Cape Mount County, Simeon Taylor, came under attack and two of his vehicles set ablaze after a tussle ensued between rival supporters of political parties.
Prior to the weekend violence, there had been a number of other incidents of political violence across the country causing injuries and destruction of properties. But so far there has been no investigation that has led to the arrest of perpetrators and their prosecution.
President Weah emphasized that elections are about the exercise of people’s democratic rights and should be void of any kind of violence. He called on all political parties and their leaders to encourage their respective partisans and supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during this campaigning period, while urging that peace and stability is paramount to the sustenance of the country’s democracy.
“There is no need for violence at a time when our country heads to a crucial election period which would solidify our democratic credentials,” the Liberian Leaders stressed.
The President then warned that the Government will not hesitate in bringing to book any group of individuals who engages in acts of violence during and after the upcoming elections.