Monrovia tense
2003-08-10 21:17
Monrovia - Liberia's war-ravaged capital Monrovia was tense on Sunday on the eve of the expected resignation of Liberian President Charles Taylor amid rising fears that his departure could create a dangerous power vacuum.
Charles Taylor, who waged his own rebellion before facing his own overthrow, was to say farewell on Sunday to his people but he did not make the expected radio address as of early evening.
No reason was given for the delay.
On Monday, the 55-year-old Taylor is to expected to fulfill his promise to leave Liberia, and with it a civil war that has raged for nearly five years and seen him lose control of four-fifths of the once prosperous country.
His likely exile in Nigeria, and the handing over of power to his vice president, Moses Blah, could take the heat out of Liberia's fighting.
But tension mounted in Monrovia with both the government and the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) rebel group stepping up the ante and warning of chaos in the post-Taylor scenario.
Lurd field commander Seyea Sheriff said Taylor "should leave tomorrow, immediately," after handing over power to Vice President Blah at 11:59 on Monday.
"If he doesn't, we will take action. He will have to tell me why he doesn't leave. We will attack his residence," the rebel leader said.
Taylor's residence is in the Congo Town district of Monrovia, seven kilometres from LURD's positions around the city's main port and apparently beyond the reach of their guns.
Sam Jackson, Taylor's economic affairs minister, said the president would not renege on his promise to quit office, but said international peacekeepers were unprepared for the consequences.
"What is the game plan that the international community has in place for 12
noon tomorrow?" he asked while talking with reporters in Monrovia.
"What will happen if there's a disintegration of the security situation?"
"There's a calamity waiting to happen," Jackson warned, telling foreign reporters that even their lives could be "at stake."
Meanwhile, a ragtag group of pro-government militiamen gathered outside Taylor's home to demand their salary arrears on Sunday afternoon.
Taylor's private residence was a beehive of activity on Sunday, with scores of people hanging around outside or visiting the embattled president, including his successor Blah and Defence Minister Daniel Chea.
Sekou Fofana, deputy secretary general of the LURD rebel group, earlier warned that they would not accept Blah as he was too closely identified with Taylor.