LIBERIA: AFL 'Widows' Riots

Women claiming to be widows of officers, enlisted men, and wartime recruits of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) yesterday crowded the interception of Benson and Lynch Streets, in demand of the benefits of their spouses reportedly acknowledged by Defense Ministry authorities as missing in action.

The demonstration staged by the women caused traffic jam between the two streets, prompting fear-stricken shop owners to shut down in expectation of more trouble.

But riot police arrived onto the scene as the traffic jam caused widespread frenzy across the city and as the queues of commuters lengthened at bus stops.

As some of the so-called widow demonstrators prostrated before riot police and lamented their plight and their inability to go to school, others confronted the police, raining insults and threatening violence if any attempt was made to disperse them.

The police however managed to keep the riot from expanding and attracting other belligerent groups, which was the fear of many.

It may be recalled that this is not the first time the so-called AFL "widows" have taken to the streets in demand of incentives for missing spouses.

But eyewitness said the 'widows'' demand this time around was absurd. "The women were demanding that the government give them US $5,000 each in order to compensate for the loss of their spouses," said one businesswoman who said she was forced to flee the area for fear of the rioters turning on her. "You know I sell food," she said.

In a recent reaction to rumors that the widows would take to the streets in demand of incentives, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai stated categorically that the government does not owe the widows a cent and that the Defense Ministry was in no position to entertain such demands.

Min. Samukai also said at the time that the widows refused to accept a scholarship scheme, which the Ministry of Defense established to help them obtain some marketable skills and for their children to benefit up to college level.

This is the second refusal of the widows to accept the scholarships thereby depriving their children of acquiring higher education and making impact in the society, observers say.

A lady, who asked not to be named, said she was one of the ring leaders behind the demonstration said they were compared to return to the streets in demands of incentives because the government appeared not interested in putting an end to the matter by paying them off.

She said contrary to Min. Samukai statement, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf recently in a letter promised to complete the payment of their benefits upon the passage of the national budget.

According to her, the group was compelled to demonstrate upon realizing that the budget had since been passed, but that no one seemed to show interest as regard their demands.

She further disclosed that the group visited the office of the President on the 3rd of October where she promised to give the benefits in scholarships and businesses, something she said they refused and told the President that they needed the cash.

The source further said that their refusal to accept the option of President Sirleaf was based on what she termed as the reality that they were too old to comprehend and benefit from academic education or skill training were they to accept the scholarships.

She added that they were promised to be looked after but that the President has failed to live up to her promise.

The widow's ringleader said they would do everything possible to draw the attention of the international community, adding that the government was already on record for bad human right practices. In finding a remedy to the solution, the ringleaders of the group were sent for at the office of the Director of Police, Mark Ambulah for a dialogue.