A tense altercation unfolded in the Mat House Community, District #1, Grand Bassa County, where reports emerged of a Chinese national being held at gunpoint.
According to initial reports, the incident is linked to allegations that Chinese nationals have been causing damage to community roads, leading to a violent confrontation.
Eyewitnesses who confirmed to Ablee-Jay Media described the situation as involving an individual believed to be an ex-U.S. Marine, a resident of the township with a farm.
The former Marine, whose name has not yet been released, was reportedly accompanied by three unidentified individuals when they entered the community. They allegedly approached the youth leader, inviting him to join them in the former Marine’s jeep.
The ex-Marine reportedly expressed frustration over the alleged destruction of a road he had previously repaired, blaming the Chinese nationals for the damage. He claimed he was planning to take matters into his own hands.
Eyewitness’ accounts suggest that the situation escalated when the former Marine allegedly began cuffing and physically assaulting the Chinese nationals, before discharging a weapon in a threatening manner. The motive behind this violent action remains unclear, but the community is in shock over the sudden escalation.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police (LNP) Grand Bassa Detachment has swiftly launched an investigation into the matter. Authorities are working to confirm the identities of all individuals involved and assess the veracity of the claims regarding the damage to the road.
At present, no official statements have been released regarding the status of the investigation or the details of the individuals involved. The LNP is expected to provide updates as they continue their inquiries.
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as head of a high-power delegation has departed Liberia to represent President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. and Liberia at Namibia’s inauguration slated for March 21, 2025.
Former President Sirleaf is also using the occasion as a Special Envoy of President Boakai to vigorously campaign for Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council scheduled to take place in June of this year in New York City.
The former President is accompanied by Liberia’s Ambassador at Large- Charles Snetter, Madam Joyce Mendscole et al to attend the inauguration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the second woman to be elected as President in Africa.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is also set to become Namibia’s first female President. The National Assembly elections saw SWAPO reduced to 51 seats, a bare majority of three. It was SWAPO’s weakest showing since Namibia’s independence in 1990.
Namibia’s Nandi-Ndaitwah will take office on March 21 in a ceremony to coincide with the country’s 35th Independence Day.
President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, incumbent vice President for Namibia and the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), won the elections in November with 57.31% of the vote, beating 14 rivals and crossing the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff.
Her victory extended SWAPO’s rule in Namibia since independence.
She succeeds Mbumba, who has served as interim President for a year since the death of the third President, Hage Geingob, in February of last year.
Namibia gained independence from Germany in 1990. By: Wroinbee Elton Tiah/ Ablee-Jay TV