The politics of keeping the peace

Children served in the Liberian militias [Hillary Norris]

In Liberia, a peace deal struck in 2003 has lasted, and a general election is about to go ahead. But fresh outbreaks of violence are a reminder that rebuilding society is a fragile process

by Angela Page

The peace deal signed in August 2003 and the impending general election gives new hope for reconciliation between former rebels and government officials in Liberia.

But an outbreak of rioting by ex-combatants in May 2005 is a reminder that the process of rebuilding the economic, social and political fabric of this desperately poor country is still at a very early stage.

CAFOD partner Don Bosco Homes is working with young people who were caught up in the fighting to maintain the peace and find positive ways forward for the country.

An estimated one in ten children in Liberia was recruited into the 14-year civil war which finally ended in August 2003; many participated in horrific events that have left them severely traumatised.

Most of these children were abducted and forcibly recruited. They quickly became embroiled in a life of brutality, physical hardship, forced labour and drug abuse.

These young fighters were not only victims but also became perpetrators of serious human rights violations.

Struggling to re-integrate

Shortly after the signing of the peace deal, Don Bosco Homes set up three care centres under UN co-ordination to provide short-term shelter, welfare, rehabilitation and reintegration services for former child soldiers and other separated children.

However, almost two years after the peace deal was signed, there are still challenges to successfully reintegrate children affected by the war back into their communities. There is a real risk of ex-combatants being lured by recruiters into fighting in emerging conflicts elsewhere in West Africa.

Don Bosco Homes is providing vital community based trauma counselling, skills training, micro-credit groups and small business management training as well as ongoing services to help trace missing relatives and reunite families to sustain the impact of their 2003-05 emergency programme. Support is also planned for community based organisations to promote child rights.

Projects are based in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, Tubmanburg to the north-west of the capital, and Buchanan at Grand Bassa county in the south-east.

Those children who were not recruited to fight were also affected. It is estimated that almost the entire population of Liberia has been displaced at some point during the conflict.

Will the peace last?

The rioting in May 2005 was attributed to the slow pace of providing education, training and other reintegration benefits for more than 90,000 people who were disarmed at the end of the civil war.

It will be vital to reintegrate ex-combatants into their home communities to provide them with sustainable alternatives to war. Some people also resented the training received by ex-combatants.

Vincent Bolt, CAFOD’s programme officer for West Africa, explains: “As part of the UN’s Demilitarisation, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme, combatants are paid to hand in their weapons and to get skills training.

"This has caused some tensions between ex-combatants and other members of the community who feel that they are getting preferential treatment.

“Liberia is a very fragile country. The fact that the elections have gone so smoothly is a real credit to the Liberian people, and the UN mission, which has provided a peacekeeping presence and logistical support.”

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