ACN News (Monrovia) A spate of petrol bomb attacks in the space of a week on targeted individuals and institutions appears to be causing uneasiness in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
The latest attack that occurred at the National Elections Commission’s 9th Street headquarters on Monday night left a vehicle and a garage inside NEC’s compound completely destroyed. This recent attack was preceded by a similar attack on the home of the Supreme Court Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe last week.
The motives behind the attacks are yet to be established by state security officials. But they came amid a series of electoral disputes and court cases. No individual or political group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The violence comes as Liberia faces series of political squabbles from last December’s senatorial elections, which the governing Coalition for Democratic Change overwhelmingly lost. But CDC vehemently opposed the results and defeated candidates who have alleged fraud, demanding a recount of votes officially announced.
As NEC rules on election fraud and irregularities, aggrieved parties take exception and appeal to the Supreme Court. As the Court delivers its rulings, dissatisfied parties will go viral criticizing the justice system. The election disputes appear to have deprived nearly 30 elected senators of taking their seats.
During last week’s attack on the home of the Associate Justice, who has been at the center of those cases, unknown petrol bombers rammed their vehicle packed with explosives towards his home. A blast was heard inside his compound with women and children screaming but no casualty was reported.
Justice Nagbe was present at his home but was unharmed, according to aides.
At the NEC headquarters Monday night, local television footage of the attack showed twisted wreckage and charred remains of a double-cabin pickup and the roof of a garage that was apparently positioned near where the powerful blast occurred.
Police sources said there was no immediate information about who was responsible for the attack.
Details of the blast, which came when the explosion struck in the compound of NEC late on Monday while the nation was observing a holiday in memory of first President JJ Roberts, were not immediately known.
Soon after the blast at about 10 pm, security forces cordoned off the area, and several pieces of unexploded bombs were discovered near the 10th St side of the NEC fence during their preliminary investigation. NEC officials estimated the cost of damages at US$45,000.
