All We (The People of Nimba)  Ask Is Equal Application Of The Laws 

17 May 04

There are individuals who persist to test the resolves of Nimbians (people fo Nimba). Since the signing of the Accra peace accord, Nimbians have endured the displeasures of secondary treatments at the hands of some warring factions. Recently, there has been numerous reports of mistreatments of Nimbians by irregular forces, whom under the Accra peace accord were to be disbanded. We have also heard of harassment of Nimbians going through LURD (the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) infested Gbanga and Mode (the rebel Movement for Democracy in Liberia)l controlled Tapita. Few days ago, the lynching of Samuel Tuon, a school teacher by MODEL forces in lower Nimba county has yet to be investigated and so far the National Transitional govt response has been nonchalant. It is important to know that liberia enjoys a bonanza of peace today, because of a process that was established in Accra, also known as the Accra Accord.

Enshrined in Article II of the Accra accord is the phrase "cessation of hostilities"! We interprete this to mean no more war, no more fighting nor engaging in activities that are provocative. The harassment and killing of Nimbaians violates this provision of the accord. Part E, of article II also "ensures security for senior military and political leaders" of liberia. However, few weeks ago, when Prince Johnson, a Nimbian, arrived in liberia at the invitation of Chairmen Guyde Bryant, Mr Johnson complaint of alledge assasination attempt against him by Chayee Doe, the brother of the late president Samuel Doe. According to Mr. Johnson, Mr. Chayee Doe led some group of arm men to his resident in an attempt to kill him. Upon receiving tip of such plot, Mr. Johnson said he went into hiding and ultimately left the country under to cover of darkness. The national transtional govt has made no effort in investigating this matter. Thus we ask the Chairman, does the peace accord applies to Nimbians as well?

In fairness, Mr Doe has denied this allegation; however, given the undenyable dangling relationship between the Grand Gedeans and the Nimbians, we expected the Bryant govt to intervene or delegate a person to investigate the validity of Mr. Johnson's claims. This in my opinion will eleviate suspecions and all conspiracy thoughts. Clearly Mr. Bryant's nonchalant approach to this allegation is disturbing to most Nimbians and cipher a wrong message to Nimba citizens. Most Nimbians will agree that Prince Johnson is not our hero, but we advocate his rights and respect his rights to move freely in liberia, as granted by the constitution of liberia, as well as the accra peace accord. Nimbians are cognizance of the facts that some individuals serving in the transitional govt, committed heinous crimes of catastrophic propotions and frankly for most Nimbians, justice would be served to see these individuals thrown into the pit of inferno, but we chose to remain silent, not out of fear or retribution, but to allow these individuals to undergo self repentence and self rehabilitation. Mr. Bryant, having been selected as our president, is charged with the responsibilities of protecting and defending lives and properties. We therefore, hold him accountable for injustices against Nimbians. Our limited number in the National Transitional govt must not be a reason to render secondary treatments to us. All we ask is equal application of the our nation's laws, as well as the Accra accords.  
 

Name withheld