Based on credible reports received from Maryland County, we wish to officially inform the people of Pleebo-Sodokeh District residing in Monrovia and around the world, the Maryland Legislative Caucus, and the Government of the Republic Liberia that on May 8 and 9, 2008, a group of people, armed with cutlasses and other weapons, launched two separate attacks on the people of Wetchokeh. Two (2) persons from Wetchokeh were killed and three (3) others critically wounded while two (2) people were abducted but were later released following UNMIL’s intervention.

We wish to firstly acknowledge the high level of astuteness and maturity the people of Wetchokeh and Pleebo-Sodokeh District (as a whole) exhibited during the crisis. This is a clear indication that they have understood the role they need to play in order to help keep the peace we have all been yearning for, for more than a decade.

Our credible information which was provided by the people of Wetchokeh is as follows:

On Thursday, May 8, the people of Wetchokeh had gone to side-brush the footpath which runs between Wetchokeh and another town called Mnaklenyien when they noticed that they were being closely monitored by men from Rock Town with cutlasses. At the close of the side brushing exercise, the men of Wetchokeh retuned and gathered in the center of town to refresh themselves after the day’s work. Within minutes, the Wetchokeh Mission Town (an outskirt of the main Wetchokeh Town) came under attack by men from Rock Town. Fleeing women and children who had managed their way through the bush to the center of the main town alerted the men of Wetchokeh of the sudden attack. They reported that the attackers burst into homes and made away with valuables and destroyed food crops. The men of Wetchokeh regrouped themselves and went on the scene of the attack. Upon hearing the approaching men, the attackers from Rock Town fled hurriedly with their loots and the two (2) abductees. During the first raid, one of the victims, Mr. Samuel Pulee Williams of Wetchokeh was severely wounded on the back by a cutlass from his attackers, while Mr. Boniface Manneh and Mr. Obadiah Nyeswah were abducted.

Immediately, the Town Chief Nelson S. Neal informed the Superintendent of Maryland County, Hon. Sieh Teba Neufville and the County Chief Police Inspector, Capt. Lyndon Johnson of the incidence in two separate phone calls. Thereafter, an emergency meeting was called by the people of Wetchokeh to discuss the next course of action. Between 6-7 P.M., four vehicles, two (2) from the Liberia National Police and two (2) from UNMIL Police and the Ethiopian contingent arrived in Wetchokeh at about 6:00 P.M. In a brief discussion, the people of Wetchokeh explained to the police and UNMIL what had happened. Thereafter, the Chief Inspector of the Liberia National Police, Lyndon Johnson, alias “One way” requested the turnover of all cutlasses from the people of Wetchokeh amidst pleas from them that security be provided by either UNMIL or LNP in the absence of their cutlasses. This request was denied.

On Friday at about 5 A.M., there was another fierce attack from the people of Rock Town in which a little over thirty (30) men with cutlasses and a few single barrel guns were involved. In the attack, Goffrey Dweh and William M. Walker lost their lives, while Kudu Walker was seriously wounded on the head.

We have taken up to date to come up with this POSITION STATEMENT after a careful analysis and in-depth discussions with stakeholders of the district.

We wish to downrightly condemn in our strongest terms these barbaric, unjustifiable and premeditated attacks on our people which have resulted into deaths and destruction of properties. We think that this behavior disqualifies the people of Rock Town from telling anyone else that non-violence is the best solution to problems.

The Superintendent, upon hearing about the planned aggression, immediately left Monrovia for Harper. It is our understanding that he spent a couple of days in Maryland prior to the aggression. Unfortunately much was not done to prevent it. The recent development in Wetchokeh, Pleebo-Sodokeh District gives the signal of the prevailing insecurity for our people.

It is our understanding that UNMIL along with the Liberia National Police arrested single barrel guns from the people of Rock Town after the attack. We have also been informed that these weapons were allegedly supplied by prominent sons of the Klemonweh Chiefdom in Government stationed in Maryland County. We strongly request the government to investigate these allegations and take the appropriate actions.

We believe that the aggression perpetrated against our people was an abuse of the hospitality our forefathers provided to the people of Rock Town long ago when the Rock Town people were looking for fertile land to grow their crops.

We have also understood that the minute royalties which we receive from the people of Rock town for the vast and fertile land we have given them has in no way benefited the people of Wetchokeh. The recent aggression has proven to us the ungrateful attitude of the people of Rock town. We had trusted them, believed in them and took them in as our brothers and sisters. They have now given us reason to view them with skepticism as enemies rather than brothers and sisters.

In view of the aforementioned and after having consulted the people of the Pleebo-Sodokeh District, it is now resolved by the citizens of Pleebo-Sodokeh District that the following issues be brought to the attention of the Government of Liberia for immediate resolution of the crisis. We therefore put forth the following:

The squatter right given to the Rock town people, which afforded them the opportunity to live on our premises for decades, is hereby nullified

As demanded by the people of Pleebo-Sodokeh District, the arm amputated from one of the two people murdered in the barbaric act be produced by the people of Rock town

The cutlasses seized from the people of Wetchokeh by the Liberian National Police and UNMIL be returned

All the land owned by the Pleebo-Sodokeh District be re-survey by the Government

A trust fund be set up for the dependents of the victims of the senseless attack be established

About two years ago, people from Wilsonville, Grand Kru County encroached on the land of the people of Pleebo-Sodokeh District. The Government of Liberia launched an investigation into the complaint involving UNMIL and officials from both Maryland and Grand Kru counties. The findings of the investigation have not yet been made public. We call on the Government to publish the findings for subsequent enforcement.

We condemn the complacency of some Maryland county officials including Representative Bhofal Chambers who quipped that he cannot travel to the District in an effort to find amicable solution to the crisis because he fears for his life.

In conclusion, we wish to call on the people of Wetchokeh, the people of Pleebo -Sodokeh District and other Marylanders to continue the high level of patience exercised as the Government launches a full investigation into this unfortunate situation.

Approved by:______________________________

Mr. Nathaniel Namu Johnson
President
Pleebo- Sodokeh District Development Association

Attested by________________________________

Rev. Dr. John S. M. Russell
Elder

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