The government of Liberia has allayed fears and speculations in some quarters of the country about the safety of its citizens in next-door Guinea, following the recent military takeover of the democratically-elected government and subsequent detention of that West African country’s President, Alpha Conde.
Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie told a news conference Thursday that “as far as we know up to this morning there have been no reported incidents of our citizens in Guinea, especially in Conakry, being harassed or in harm’s way.”
The Liberian embassy there remains open and is engaged, he says, and that there has been no extra security measure taken by Liberia to do anything.
“We are monitoring the situation from afar. There has been no incident of a targeted attempt to get at Liberians in Conakry – so, as far as we know, they are doing well; they have been safe and the embassy remains engaged.
“If there is any issue, we ask our citizens in Conakry not to hesitate to go to the Embassy and report it. And I’m sure through diplomatic means and other means those issues will be addressed,” Minister Rennie added.
Meanwhile, at least 50 Liberians said to be cross-border traders have rushed back into Liberia through the Loguatuo border with Guinea, in the aftermath of the military ‘coup’ of 5 September, according to Liberia’s Immigration chief, Robert Budy, Sr.
To date, there has been no record of refugees crossing into Liberia either based on fear of reprisal or degeneration of the current political situation in Guinea, as there appears to be calm since the Mamady Boumbouya-led military occupied the government, he noted.
Despite the barrage of condemnation of the forceful takeover of authority in Guinea coming from world leaders and the international community, there has been no sign the Military will heed to calls to return the county to constitutional rule.
