Militias of the former Liberian Government staged a riot in the Paynesville suburbs Monday in protest of resettlement benefits and money owed them by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

The riot, which began during the early morning rush hours, was reported to have left one person dead when angry militias, armed with sticks blockaded routes leading to the Paynesville suburbs.

Several marketers and traders sustained injuries while struggling to escape the scene into safety zones. Thousands of dollars worth of goods belonging to marketers were either deserted or looted in the process.

The militias had gathered in the area in anticipation of receiving US$75.00 each and other benefits from the UN following disarmament and demobilization. But they were informed that the process would not continue Monday, instead the following week.

Residents in the area said it was at that point that the militias got angry and began setting roadblocks, spreading pandemonium like wild bush fire in Paynesville area.

UNMIL soldiers quickly moved in and restored calm, as they fired tear gas and warning shots in the air to disperse the angry rioters.

Although it is understandable that the greater a man's expectation and desire, the greater his disappointment when such expectations and desires are being delayed, we have experienced that violent approaches to issues that could be handled through patience and persistent dialogue are responsible for the mess created in the country today.

Violence has taken Liberians nowhere and would certainly not take us anywhere.

The many phases of armed violent conflicts made Liberia a worst case scenario and undermined our integrity and sovereignty as a Nation and people.

It is about time that every Liberian, irrespective of wherever you find yourself, to use the dismal experience gained from years of violence as our tutor and learn to be patient because everything comes to those who wait.

We therefore wish to remind all the ex-combatants and former warring faction leaders that the national and international good-will to have them rehabilitated and reintegrated into the civil society must not be abused.

We urge them to seize upon this good-will by patiently taking advantage of the opportunity to have them educated, vocationally skilled and meaningfully participate in the social-economic and political development of the Nation.

In short, we urge all combatants to take advantage of the good-will with patience.

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