Liberia: The government is concerned about the return of mercenaries in Côte d'Ivoire

directscoop | March 24, 2011 at 12:23 | URL: http://wp.me/p1fABI-Jb 

Saclepea - The Liberian government Wednesday expressed concern about returning to their country of Liberian mercenaries who are now in Côte d'Ivoire. This return could plunge Liberia into a new war, "said Liberian Minister of the Interior. "We are worried because after the War of 2002 in Côte d'Ivoire, Liberian mercenaries returned home, formed a faction (Rebel), declared war and taken territory," said Harrison KENWA. The head of the UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Margaret Loj, also expressed concern. "I do not know how they are, I've never met either, they are still in Côte d'Ivoire, that worries me," she said. "What worries me most is that there was no disarmament before elections in Côte d'Ivoire. I fear that the weapons are returned to Liberia," she said. In 2002, west of Côte d'Ivoire, many Liberian mercenaries took part in the war on the side of the rebellion pro-Ouattara. Liberian militia sent by the Liberian President Charles Taylor, had supported the rebels trying to oust President Laurent Gbagbo. Since the outbreak of armed hostilities by the rebels pro-Ouattara in western Côte d'Ivoire, the presence of Liberian mercenaries has become a national concern in Liberia. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was worried it was late December and warned that these mercenaries were likely to be prosecuted.