Liberia's First Civil War (Routledge Studies in Peace, Conflict and Security in Africa)

"This book provides a comprehensive narrative history of Liberia's first civil war, from its origins in the 1980s right through the conflict and up to the peace agreement and conclusion of hostilities in 1997. The first Liberian Civil War was one of Africa's most devastating conflicts, claiming the lives of more than 200,000 Liberians, and sending shockwaves across the world. Drawing on a wide range of local and international sources, the book traces the background of the war and its long-term and immediate causes, before analysing the detail of the unfolding conflict, the eventual ceasefire, peace agreement and subsequent elections. In particular, the book shines a light on hitherto unseen first-hand Roman Catholic indigenous and missionary sources, which offer a rare intimacy to the analysis. Detailing the impact of Liberia's individual warlords and peacemakers, the book also explains the roles played by non-governmental agencies, national, regional and international actors, by the UN, ECOWAS and the Organisation of African Unity, and by nations with special interests and influence, such as the USA and other West African states. This book's detailed narrative analysis of the Liberian conflict will be an important read for anyone with an interest in the Liberian conflict, including researchers within African studies, political science, contemporary history, international relations, and peace and conflict studies"-- Provided by publisher Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Acronyms Introduction SECTION 1: Prelude 1. Remote causes of Liberia’s revolution 2. Proximate causes of Liberia’s revolution SECTION 2: The Falling of the Axe 3. Dawn of the revolution – the 1980 coup 4. Revolutionary fervour diminishes 5. Return to civilian rule 6. Economic crisis and increasing international scrutiny 7. While popular support for the regime falters, backing from the Reagan Administration continues SECTION 3: The Advent of Charles Taylor 8. Enemies of the revolution cross into Liberia and liberation from tyranny is proclaimed 9. Peacekeeping and mediation initiatives emerge while rebel conquest of Monrovia stalls SECTION 4: The Intervention of ECOWAS 10. ECOWAS peacekeeping force arrives 11. Assassination of Liberia’s President and leader of its revolutionary coup 12. Liberia now a two-state entity: The Monrovia enclave ruled by an interim government of national unity, and ‘Greater Liberia’ (capital: Gbarnga) ruled by a rebel government 13. The incursion of NPRAG forces into Sierra Leone and signing of Yamoussoukro accord 14. Large-scale rebel rearming threatens attempts to implement Yamoussoukrou SECTION 5: The Slaying of the Innocent 15. NPRAG forces commence 122-day assault on the capital (Operation Octopus) 16. Francophone members of ECOWAS and the UN begin to play a more active role in securing a political settlement 17. The appointment of a UN Special Representative amid continuing atrocities 18. ECOWAS and UN commitments increase in the region SECTION 6: Endgame 19. Internal tensions within militias produces chaotic conditions in Greater Liberia. Civil Society emerges as a force 20. The Abuja Summit and increasing role of Nigeria 21. The implementation of Abuja II and the election of the former NPRAG leader as President Maps References Index