More checkpoints on Kakata-Bong Mines highway

Additional checkpoints have been erected on the Kakata-Bong Mines highway, Star Radio reported today. The number of checkpoints has been increased from one to four. The report said drivers have expressed concern as they are forced to pay money at each checkpoint, which has led to an increase in transport fares and prices of commodities in the area.

The new checkpoints are on a road to Sierra Leone, which would suggest that the Liberian government is concerned about security in the area, a humanitarian source in Monrovia told IRIN today. Military checkpoints and other controls from the civil war were removed last year. At the time, analysts told IRIN that this was an important step in building post-war confidence since the checkpoints had symbolised the paralysing grip factions maintained on all aspects of Liberian life during the conflict.