What the hell is going on in Liberia??

[aaminion00]

The last 2 months in Europe, whenever I watched the news I couldn't miss the part about Liberia. People in civilian clothing shooting each other in the streets of the capital while for some reason the president is trying to resign. Peacekeepers are coming in now, but nobody is sure they'll work all that well.

That's about as much as I could gather.

So what the hell IS going around in Liberia? I don't even know who the two sides are, much less what they're fighting for. What's happening, why is it happening, and what should be done about it?

 

[The Yankee]

Simple, they want to get rid of the government of (supposedly outgoing) President Charles Taylor. There are two main rebel groups that control about 60% of the nation, including the second largest city of Liberia, Buchanon.

Taylor was a warlord that participated in the civil war that started in 1989 that ousted and killed dictator Samuel Doe. Taylor eventually won control of the nation and has suspected of fomenting revolts in neighboring nations, such as Sierra Leone.

Taylor "won" a presidential election in 1997 (I believe) but it's widely accepted that those elections were rigged in some way.

The largest rebel group, LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy ), which has been assaulting the capital, Monrovia, after a cease-fire in June fell apart. The US Embassy in Monrovia has taken a few hits during the fighting. Tens of thousands of refugees have taken refuge in what used to be glamourous hotels, stadiums, so on.

Taylor has been a brutal dictator during his reign. He's even arrested members of his own government, accusing them of trying to take power in a coup. His forces have crushed anyone opposing him, which means that the rebel groups around the nation stayed in tact to get rid of him. Whether they truly want democracy or the nation for themselves....nobody really knows.

There were peacekeepers in the nation before, African peacekeepers. However, they basically turned into a fighting faction of their own, looting from the countryside, raping people....so on. That's why people would rather see Americans in there....not just for the historic ties.

 

[EdwardTking]

Originally posted by aaminion00
The last 2 months in Europe, whenever I watched the news I couldn't miss the part about Liberia. People in civilian clothing shooting each other in the streets of the capital while for some reason the president is trying to resign. Peacekeepers are coming in now, but nobody is sure they'll work all that well.

That's about as much as I could gather.

So what the hell IS going around in Liberia? I don't even know who the two sides are, much less what they're fighting for. What's happening, why is it happening, and what should be done about it?

I suspect that the USA has found signs of oil there.

That would explain it all.

 

[Cecasander]

Originally posted by The Yankee
He's even arrested members of his own government, accusing them of trying to take power in a coup.

Looks like pre-emptive strikes to me

 

[Hitro]

The problem is that the rebel groups aren't considered to be any better.

 

[wildWolverine]

Originally posted by EdwardTking


I suspect that the USA has found signs of oil there.

That would explain it all.

Right... except they begged for U.S. intervention.

 

[Mikoyan]

LURD has stopped fighting, the civil war is over.

 

[The Yankee]

Somehow I doubt that the fighting is will be over just like that. I'm sure there are people who don't like the fact that Vice President Moses Blah is now in charge. Just because LURD has silenced their guns doesn't mean other groups will stop.

 

[Pongui]

A good outline, The Yankee. But...

Originally posted by The Yankee
Taylor "won" a presidential election in 1997 (I believe) but it's widely accepted that those elections were rigged in some way.

International observers of that election believed it basically fair, but noted Taylor fearmongered and bribed the electorate. This happens in the best democracies...

Taylor has been a brutal dictator during his reign. He's even arrested members of his own government, accusing them of trying to take power in a coup.

I'm inclined to believe the coup accusation. "Brutal dictator"? What kind of brutal dictator would announce a state of emergency
during war only to lift it when the fighting dwindled? Real brutal dictators turn it on and leave it on.

His forces have crushed anyone opposing him, which means that the rebel groups around the nation stayed in tact to get rid of him. Whether they truly want democracy or the nation for themselves....nobody really knows.

Lurd is Guinea's proxy army against Liberia, and enjoys excellent support - and US training in Guinea according to Taylor. In his farewell speech, Taylor says the US can now "call off its dogs". Maybe we'll know more about this later. Maybe he's making it up.

Anyway, Liberia was caught dealing with rebels (Liberia's proxy army?) and received UN sanctions for that. The government has been unable to purchase weapons, unable to pay its army or police, and, to again quote Taylor, Liberia "can't even export a toothpick". It's no wonder Lurd made gains.

With Taylor gone, sanctions might be lifted. So, all this evil may come to good.