MONROVIA (AFP) — In the past week the capital of Liberia has been hit by a crime wave that has left inhabitants fearing for their lives while the government admits the security situation is deteriorating.
The West African nation has been struggling to rebuild itself after decades of internal conflict left the country in ruins.
Since the government of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf came to power in 2006 it has been credited with restoring stability and security to the country but in recent months crime has been on the rise.
In the past eight days at least 160 homes in Monrovia were attacked by armed robbers, according to figures collected by AFP, demanding money or valuables and raping.
"When they came they kicked the door open, put the entire family under gun point and began to demand money," Marie Myers, a resident of central Monrovia told AFP in tears.
"When they could not get what they expected, they decided to beat my husband with machetes. When I pleaded for him, that's the time they started to beat me like this," she said, showing extensive wounds on her back.
President Johnson-Sirleaf admitted that the security situation in the capital had deteriorated. She even said that some of the crimes were carried out by police officers assigned to protect the population.
"The general security situation is bad. The reason is that our own security for several reasons has not been effective. Certain police officers have just been arrested as the result of their own participation in some of these crimes," she said on Liberian radio.
"It has become a serious nightmare. We don't close our eyes any more during the night." Arthur Glehn, resident of Paynesville, a northern suburb of Monrovia told AFP.
Observers say most of the robbers are former fighters who fought in the civil war. Many have kept their weapons and find it hard to find and keep regular jobs in a country plagued by over 80 percent unemployement.
The police service is in the process of being rebuilt but the force is overstretched and poorly trained, many officers do not even carry weapons.
Monrovia and its suburbs are the main targets of the robbers because it is the most affluent city in Liberia.
Two weeks ago a senior legal advisor to the president said all Liberians and foreign residents should keep a self-imposed curfew.
The move drew criticism from the public and politicians who say the comments would drive away desperately needed foreign investors.
"Look: the statement of the Solicitor General is simply telling us that the government can no more protect its citizens and foreigners residing here, something they have taken an oath for. And it scares investors away," Prince Johnson, a rebel-warlord turned senator, said on the radio.
However, with the security situation as it is most residents keep to such a self-imposed curfew.
"From work I make sure I reach home before six o'clock," Adama Bility, who works for the government, told AFP.
Even government officials are not safe.
Last week Friday robbers attacked the immigration commissioner in the centre of Monrovia. Fifteen minutes of street fighting between the robbers and the commissioner's security guards followed before the attackers fled on motorbikes.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
