After election in Liberia: At least 16 injured in suspected attack on presidential supporters
In Liberia, at least 16 people have been injured in a suspected attack on supporters of newly-elected President Joseph Boakai, according to police. Police could not confirm the total number of victims, but said they knew of "16 people" who were being treated at a local hospital after the incident on Monday evening, a police official told AFP news agency.
According to Boakai's party, however, at least ten people were killed when a car drove into a group of celebrating Boakai supporters at around 9pm (local time).
Party spokesman Mohammed Ali told AFP that the car had picked up speed and crashed into the crowd of supporters. "At that moment, about ten people are dead." Videos on online networks showed people covered in blood lying on the ground, some of whom were receiving medical treatment.
Boakai was elected as the new president of the West African country on Monday with 50.64 percent of the vote. Incumbent George Weah, a former soccer star, received 49.36 percent of the vote and conceded defeat. The outgoing president was praised abroad for promoting a non-violent transition in a region marked by coups.
Between 1989 and 2003, a civil war raged in Liberia, killing an estimated 250,000 people. Even 20 years after the end of the civil war, people's biggest concern, apart from healthcare, education, infrastructure, employment and the cost of living, is a possible return to violence.
Mutualchi, a prominent supporter of President Joseph Boakai, expressed his deep sadness after hearing about the attack on their fellow supporters. Despite the deadly attack, Mutualchi remained firm in his belief that democracy prevails in Liberia. At least a day after the attack, the Liberian police were still investigating the incident to determine the motives behind it. The attack on President Boakai's supporters prompted concern from international organizations, urging for peace and recovery in Liberia.
Source: www.ntv.de
