ICC tells Liberian politicians to resort to violence at own risk

The International Criminal Court has warned Liberian politicians that it “will not tolerate violence”.

"We will pay close attention to the actions and statements of the political class and, in particular, to the presidential candidates now and after the elections,” a statement by the ICC said.

It warned that “resorting to violence will not be tolerated," as the court continued to monitor the electoral process that was already turning chaotic.

It can be recalled that the ICC was presently trying former Liberia President Charles Ghankay Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC is also examining post electoral violence in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire and was expected to make an indictment in the coming weeks of people linked to the crisis that left an estimated 3,000 dead earlier this year.

The ICC’s latest statement followed election-related violence at the weekend in the Liberian capital, Monrovia which left an opposition party radio and television station burnt down.

Love Radio/TV was owned by Taylor, but is now allegedly operated by his National Patriotic Party.

Also during the weekend, the local headquarters of ruling Unity Party of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was set ablaze in Paynesville, a highly populated suburb of Monrovia.

Even though the culprits of the two arsons have not been identified, it was widely believed that both of the incidents were politically-motivated and linked to disenchantment over the provisional poll results.

On Friday, 11 of the 16 parties contesting the polls threatened to withdraw their representatives out of the ballot counting.

But following consultations with the National Electoral Commission and the National Election Monitoring Group, the parties including the leading opposition outfit of Mr Winston Tubman, returned to the counting table.

Mr Tubman, who lands second after the incumbent president in the partial results, on Saturday announced that he was ready for the runoff against President Sirleaf on November 8.