Liberia: Lurd Never Shelled Monrovia
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The NEWS (Monrovia)
28 August 2008
Posted to the web 29 August 2008
Alloycious David
Monrovia
The former leader of the defunct rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) Sekou Damate Conneh, on Wednesday denied shelling Monrovia during series of battles to seize control of Monrovia in 2003, and has called for a test fire to determine the range of his group's 81 millimeter mortar.
During the shelling of Monrovia in 2003, several persons were killed from mortar rounds at the US Embassy's Graystone Compound and other parts of the city.
It is widely believed that the mortar rounds that fell on innocent civilians were from LURD rebels.
But Mr. Conneh dismissed claims that fighters of LURD shelled the civilian population.
Paradoxically, Mr. Conneh who said he was never at the front line shifted blame on Taylor's loyalists for shelling the city to smear LURD image to the international community.
In his testimony at the on-going Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Thematic and Institutional Hearings, although Mr. Conneh admitted that LURD had an 81 millimeter mortar during the attacks on Monrovia, he said the mortar did not have the range to shell Monrovia from the Freeport where his men were positioned.
He, therefore, challenged anyone to prove otherwise and suggested that a test fire be conducted with the help of UNMIL to determine the range of an 81 millimeter mortar.
Regarding the formation of LURD, he disclosed that he was not a founding member of the organization. He referred the TRC to Joe Wylie and Joe Gbala who were executive committee members of the group.
He also could not confirm or deny allegation that LURD was sponsored by the Guinean Government.
"I am not aware about who provided the weapons, I met the boys armed to their teeth when I was appointed to lead the group," he added.
But the former rebel leader disclosed that Guinea and Sierra Leone had their borders opened for LURD fighters throughout the war time.
"I congratulated the President of Guinea in a BBC interview at the end of the war because I was never restricted from entering that country during the armed struggle. I entered Guinea with weapons and armed bodyguards anytime. The border was opened to us," he said in response to a question from a Commissioner.
He also indicated that LURD's objective was to remove Taylor. He said Taylor could only understand the language of the guns and that it was impossible to remove him through the ballot box.
Mr. Conneh: "LURD can't be seen as a rebel group. LURD was a resistance movement and not rebel against Taylor. LURD came because there was no law and order in Liberia. People arrested and detained peaceful citizens without trial for expressing themselves. Journalists were flogged for news articles they wrote."
Relevant Links
He said former President Charles Taylor lost his constitutional power when he was indicted by the Special Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, noting "he was never a president anymore."
Read comments. Write your own.
I am appalled by Mr. Conneh's revelations to the TRC. In one article I read, he is quoted as saying,"I am not reponsible for anyone's attrocities." Now he's saying, "the LURD did not share Monrovia, it was not a rebel group" What is this man really saying? Is he a rational being now or he is actually suffering from a pscyhic problems? Mr. Cooneh's statements are an affront to the thousands of innocent people that were slaughted by these alcapoons and are now bragging about it. His comments to the TRC truely aflame the already existing hatred in the society… [Read Full Text]
This is an open judgement, their was war between Taylor forces and the LURD resistance movement and either side fought to dis-locate each other from the city while the other end of the city was control by Taylor forces, Who do you think is responsible for the destruction? I am living witness to some of the shelling on the capital by General Kuku Danise and his boys in revange of the accusation that it was the US government that was supporting LURD and for every time the fighting intensify, Kuku Denise will lunch motar at the US embassy compound where… [Read Full Text]
first of all, iam also a living witness, There's video to asure you that you fooling yourself, not liberians.gen kuku denise wasn't active at that time. I was living up crown hill.Lurd was the only people across the bridge. We could see everything that was going on from that point. Rockets were landing in sinkor.Taylor forces never had that old chinise mortal.For your information, taylor never resign becouse of lurd. It was because of international pressure on him. Taylor was the father of rebellion in liberia. To your knoweledge, Lurd was never a resistanse movement. We all are educated. Lurd… [Read Full Text]
I will make it possible that Sekou Damate Conneh will be broutht to justic, just as Taylor.
I guess my point seems to be lightining by torri's statement, So you mean you were among those that guys assigned with Kuku Danies while lunching civilian targets in and around the US embassy. How could you, for God sack be living on crown hill to witness LURD shelling Sinkor while you live at crown hill. It is never too late to tell your own side.
No Kromah , i think you are trying to lighting my point.From your statement, anyone who was living in the heart of monrovia would know that you the kromahs,conehs and others didn't know where they were sending thos rockets.Do you know the position of Crown hill in monrovia ? See this link carefully and stop saying things you dont about.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9pDr2pd3_4
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What is mr don't know saying here again. He should have just continue with i don't know story then shifting blames. Even the 1 year old child can attest to lurd bombing at gracestone compound.