The Liberian government Monday took journalists to northwest Lofa County by helicopter to show the success of its military offensive against rebels in the area. The journalists visited the town of Kolahun, which had been in rebel hands. One of those on the scene was English to Africa reporter Winston Monboe.
Winston told VOA’s Joe De Capua by satellite phone that many of the homes in the town had been burned or were without roofs or otherwise damaged. He says many of the residents were reportedly scattered in the countryside and that those he saw looked malnourished and are hoping for humanitarian aid. But they say since government troops came in, little has changed compared to rebel rule.