Liberia: A car mows down Joseph Boakai supporters

A car plowed into a crowd gathered Monday night outside the headquarters of Joseph Boakai’s Unity Party in the center of the capital Monrovia, to celebrate his victory in the presidential election. Three people were killed.

The incident occurred just hours after the national electoral commission officially announced Mr. Boakai’s victory over his opponent, incumbent President George Weah, in the November 14 runoff.

According to the police, the suspected driver of the car has been arrested. However, no indication has been given to explain his behavior.

«The Liberian National Police has launched an investigation into the tragic event that occurred at the Unity Party headquarters and resulted in 25 injuries», police spokesman Moses Carter told the press on Tuesday.

Out of the 25 people affected, «the number of people killed in this incident has now risen to three», two men and one woman, he said.

While the national electoral commission had declared Joseph Boakai the winner with 50.64% of the votes, against 49.36% for the incumbent president and former football star George Weah, a parked car nearby sped into the crowd of supporters after flashing its headlights, reported Mohammed Ali, the party’s spokesperson, citing eyewitness accounts.

Justine