Brief History of Liberian Civil ConflictBrief History of Liberian Civil Conflict

1822 - Repatriation of Freed Slaves from United States to Liberia 1822 - Repatriation of Freed Slaves from United States to Liberia by the American Colonization Society. by the American Colonization Society.

July 26, 1847 – Independence gained, constitution fashioned July 26, 1847 – Independence gained, constitution fashioned after US. Elite “Congo” settler minority establish political after US. Elite “Congo” settler minority establish political hegemony over “Country” aborigineshegemony over “Country” aborigines

April 14, 1979 – Rice riots fueled by socio-economic and political April 14, 1979 – Rice riots fueled by socio-economic and political discontentment of masses over settlers’ oligarchydiscontentment of masses over settlers’ oligarchy

April 12, 1980 – Bloody military coup d’etat led by Master April 12, 1980 – Bloody military coup d’etat led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe breaks settlers’ political hegemony. Sergeant Samuel Doe breaks settlers’ political hegemony. President William Tolbert butchered, 17 cabinet members President William Tolbert butchered, 17 cabinet members summarily executed by PRC Junta. New elite class emerges summarily executed by PRC Junta. New elite class emerges among “country” aborigines. Opposition grows within PRC among “country” aborigines. Opposition grows within PRC membership; political intrigues, foiled coup d’etats and membership; political intrigues, foiled coup d’etats and executions aboundexecutions abound

1985 – Samuel Doe wins elections amid allegations of vote 1985 – Samuel Doe wins elections amid allegations of vote riggingrigging

1986 – Former AFL commanding general Thomas Quiwonkpa 1986 – Former AFL commanding general Thomas Quiwonkpa invasion foiled; ethnic cleansing of Gios and Manos invasion foiled; ethnic cleansing of Gios and Manos (Quiwonkpa’s tribesmen) begins(Quiwonkpa’s tribesmen) begins

December 24, 1989 – Charles Taylor’s NPFL rebels invade December 24, 1989 – Charles Taylor’s NPFL rebels invade Liberia via La Cote d’Ivoire. Mass exodus of Liberians into Liberia via La Cote d’Ivoire. Mass exodus of Liberians into Diaspora; human rights abuses, mass killing along tribal lines; Diaspora; human rights abuses, mass killing along tribal lines;

1990 President Doe butchered by NPFL splinter. ECOWAS 1990 President Doe butchered by NPFL splinter. ECOWAS sends in regional peacekeepers. Interim government installed; sends in regional peacekeepers. Interim government installed; rebel groups sproutrebel groups sprout

1996 – UNOMIL disarms factions (NPFL, ULIMO, LDF, LPC, 1996 – UNOMIL disarms factions (NPFL, ULIMO, LDF, LPC, INPFL, NPFL-CRC, etc.)INPFL, NPFL-CRC, etc.)

1997 - Charles Taylor elected; 1997 - Charles Taylor elected; September 18, 1998 – Krahns massacred in Camp Johnson September 18, 1998 – Krahns massacred in Camp Johnson

shootout by Government forces; ULIMO-J faction leader shootout by Government forces; ULIMO-J faction leader Roosevelt Johnson, others go into exile and regroup.Roosevelt Johnson, others go into exile and regroup.

1999 – LURD forces invade Liberia’s Lofa county via Guinea1999 – LURD forces invade Liberia’s Lofa county via Guinea 2000 – media clampdown, political unrest, travel ban imposed 2000 – media clampdown, political unrest, travel ban imposed 2002 – UN imposes sanctions on the Taylor regime to curb 2002 – UN imposes sanctions on the Taylor regime to curb

destabilization of Sierra Leonedestabilization of Sierra Leone July 2003 – War escalates, LURD and offshoot faction MODEL, July 2003 – War escalates, LURD and offshoot faction MODEL,

besiege capital citybesiege capital city August 18, 2003 – CPA signed paving the way for installation of August 18, 2003 – CPA signed paving the way for installation of

interim government; dispatch of Stabilization Force to Liberiainterim government; dispatch of Stabilization Force to Liberia

DDRR Liberia: The Rocky Road DDRR Liberia: The Rocky Road to Peaceto Peace

1. The former LURD rebel faction controlled 1. The former LURD rebel faction controlled 85 percent of Liberia by 2003 – former leader: 85 percent of Liberia by 2003 – former leader: Sekou Damate Conneh; Membership Sekou Damate Conneh; Membership predominantly Mandingoes, Krahns, and predominantly Mandingoes, Krahns, and Southeasters. Southeasters.

2. The former MODEL rebel group comprised 2. The former MODEL rebel group comprised mainly Southeasterners; believed to be mainly Southeasterners; believed to be offshoot of LURD faction created to increase offshoot of LURD faction created to increase pressure on the pariah Taylor regime. Former pressure on the pariah Taylor regime. Former leader: Thomas Nimely Yaya; leader: Thomas Nimely Yaya;

3. The Former GOL, forces loyal to President 3. The Former GOL, forces loyal to President Taylor. Included militias, paramilitary, AFL, Taylor. Included militias, paramilitary, AFL, etc. Former leader - Defense Minister Daniel etc. Former leader - Defense Minister Daniel CheaChea

CHALLENGE: HOW TO GET THE CHALLENGE: HOW TO GET THE BELLIGERENTS TO DIALOGUE AND END BELLIGERENTS TO DIALOGUE AND END THE BLOODBATH? THE BLOODBATH?

Profile of the Warring Parties (July 2003)Profile of the Warring Parties (July 2003)

DDRR Liberia: The Rocky Road to Peace II DDRR Liberia: The Rocky Road to Peace II (Accra 2003)(Accra 2003)

ECOWAS – Sub-regional solidarity; willpower to curb ECOWAS – Sub-regional solidarity; willpower to curb cross-border instability; arms traffickingcross-border instability; arms trafficking

ICGL – Chief Mediatory roleICGL – Chief Mediatory role United States Government – financierUnited States Government – financier

The warring parties: LURD (Liberians United for The warring parties: LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy); MODEL (Movement Reconciliation and Democracy); MODEL (Movement for Democracy in Liberia) and the former GOL for Democracy in Liberia) and the former GOL (government of Liberia) forces(government of Liberia) forces

Civil Society (Teachers, lawyers, marketers, “yanna Civil Society (Teachers, lawyers, marketers, “yanna boys”, doctors, religious leaders, lawyersboys”, doctors, religious leaders, lawyers

Political PartiesPolitical Parties WIPNET (Network of Liberian Women)WIPNET (Network of Liberian Women) RefugeesRefugees MediaMedia OthersOthers Following months of bickering, the Accra

Comprehensive Peace Agreement was finally signed August 18, 2003 in Ghana. Gyude Bryant selected Chairman of power-sharing government. ECOWAS sends in vanguard peacekeepers to maintain ceasefire. Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) formed.

The StakeholdersThe Stakeholders The FacilitatorsThe Facilitators

DDRR Liberia: The Rocky Road DDRR Liberia: The Rocky Road HomeHome

Accra Peace Agreement: legitimized Accra Peace Agreement: legitimized peace process; established transitional peace process; established transitional government, NCDDRR and other government, NCDDRR and other National Commissions; clearly identified National Commissions; clearly identified non-state actors and defined role of non-state actors and defined role of Stabilization Force in the DDR processStabilization Force in the DDR process

Configuration and role of National Configuration and role of National Commission on Disarmament, Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration in implementation of CPAReintegration in implementation of CPA

UN Resolution 1509 andUN Resolution 1509 and UN Resolution 1497 clearly indicate role UN Resolution 1497 clearly indicate role

of UN PKF (UNMIL) in the peace of UN PKF (UNMIL) in the peace process, commencing first with the process, commencing first with the disarmament, demobilization, disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration of rehabilitation and reintegration of combatants of the three warring factions combatants of the three warring factions (LURD, MODEL, former GOL and other (LURD, MODEL, former GOL and other militias)militias)

The Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) – The Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) – comprising 9 factional reps, three from comprising 9 factional reps, three from each of the warring factions, and UN each of the warring factions, and UN military observers to monitor and military observers to monitor and observe the ceasefire observe the ceasefire

Formation of the NCDDRR (Policy Formation of the NCDDRR (Policy Body). Membership comprises Body). Membership comprises European Union, United States European Union, United States government, International Contact government, International Contact Group on Liberia (Ghana, Nigeria, Group on Liberia (Ghana, Nigeria, Special Representative of ECOWAS Special Representative of ECOWAS and Special Representative of the AU), and Special Representative of the AU), the UN, representatives of the warring the UN, representatives of the warring factions, NTGL and relevant agencies of factions, NTGL and relevant agencies of governmentgovernment

Prelude to DRRPrelude to DRR

DDRR Strategic Implementation FrameworkDDRR Strategic Implementation Framework

Drafting of DDRR Framework in October Drafting of DDRR Framework in October 20032003

Role of United Nations Mission in LiberiaRole of United Nations Mission in Liberia

Structure and Role of NCDDRR Structure and Role of NCDDRR

NCDDRR Secretariat NCDDRR Secretariat

JOINT IM PLEM ENTATION UNIT

National Com m ission On Disarm am ent,Dem obilisation rehabilitation and

Reintegration:Representatives from AU, ECOW AS, GOL,

LURD, MODEL, UNMIL, NTGL relevantagencies

Secretary (NTGL)

Program m es andPolicy Adviser

DEX UNITFinancial Managem ent,Contracts, procurem ent,D isbursem ent, reports

budget etc (UNDP)

Technical Co-ordinationCom m ittee:

W FP, UNDP, UNICEF,UNHCR

MOD, UN, W HO

Project ApprovalCom m ittee:

EU, W B, USAID, UNICEFUNDP, UN, NTGL

Disarm am ent andDem obilisation

(UNM IL)

Inform ation andSensitization

(OCHA)

M onitoring andEvaluation

(UNDP)

Rehabilitationand Reintegration

(UNDP)

Implementation RoadmapImplementation Roadmap The political process drives DDRR:The political process drives DDRR: Policy Body 1Policy Body 1stst seating November 27, 2003 seating November 27, 2003 December 1, 2003 – symbolic destruction of December 1, 2003 – symbolic destruction of

armsarms December 5, 2003 – warring factions renew December 5, 2003 – warring factions renew

commitment to the DDRR processcommitment to the DDRR process December 7, 2003 – DDRR formally launchedDecember 7, 2003 – DDRR formally launched December 7,8 and 9 – process ran into December 7,8 and 9 – process ran into

troubletrouble December 15 – DDRR process suspended, to December 15 – DDRR process suspended, to

resume January 20, 2004resume January 20, 2004 January 15 – meeting held to reassess the January 15 – meeting held to reassess the

date for resuming the process. Delay in date for resuming the process. Delay in resumption of the process raised the question resumption of the process raised the question of security and how to contain the combatants of security and how to contain the combatants while they were awaiting to be disarmed: IFP while they were awaiting to be disarmed: IFP (Interim Feeding Program) launched by NTGL(Interim Feeding Program) launched by NTGL

January 20 – the process of the DDRR January 20 – the process of the DDRR resumes with timeline for information and resumes with timeline for information and sensitization campaign and identification of sensitization campaign and identification of cantonment sites; 48 influential commanders cantonment sites; 48 influential commanders (16 each from the three warring factions) were (16 each from the three warring factions) were brought on board to be part of the NCDDRR brought on board to be part of the NCDDRR as DD Facilitators. Implementing partner and as DD Facilitators. Implementing partner and service providers were requested to hire the service providers were requested to hire the combatants in the construction of the combatants in the construction of the cantonment sitescantonment sites

Preconditions for DisarmamentPreconditions for Disarmament Adequate presence of UN force on the groundAdequate presence of UN force on the ground

Mobilization of implementing partners and Mobilization of implementing partners and service providers (WHO, UNICEF, World service providers (WHO, UNICEF, World Vision, WFP, UNIFEM, UNDP, UNFPA, Vision, WFP, UNIFEM, UNDP, UNFPA, MERLIN, MSF, CRS, LWS/WF, IOM, FIND, MERLIN, MSF, CRS, LWS/WF, IOM, FIND, READCORP, CRID, UMCOR, Talking Drum READCORP, CRID, UMCOR, Talking Drum Studio, etc)Studio, etc)

Construction of cantonment sitesConstruction of cantonment sites

Submission of a comprehensive list of Submission of a comprehensive list of combatants for the three warring factions, combatants for the three warring factions, indicating type and location of weaponsindicating type and location of weapons

Simultaneous disarmament of combatantsSimultaneous disarmament of combatants

Massive information and sensitization Massive information and sensitization campaign targeting combatants and campaign targeting combatants and communitiescommunities

WHO QUALIFIES FOR DISARMAMENT?WHO QUALIFIES FOR DISARMAMENT?

Former GOLFormer GOL

LURDLURD

MODELMODEL

Other militiasOther militias

Child soldiers (Interim care centers – UNICEF)Child soldiers (Interim care centers – UNICEF)

Women Associated With Fighting Forces (WAFFs)Women Associated With Fighting Forces (WAFFs)

Children Associated With Fighting Forces (CAFFs)Children Associated With Fighting Forces (CAFFs)

Wounded and disabled combatantsWounded and disabled combatants

Unarmed combatantsUnarmed combatants

HOW DOES ONE QUALIFY TO BE DISARMED (CRITERIA)?HOW DOES ONE QUALIFY TO BE DISARMED (CRITERIA)?

150 rounds of ammunition and all conventional weapons as 150 rounds of ammunition and all conventional weapons as determined by UNMILdetermined by UNMIL

Surrender of units with shared weaponsSurrender of units with shared weapons

Physical qualification of combatants to be determined by Physical qualification of combatants to be determined by MILOBs (Military observers)MILOBs (Military observers)

BENEFITSBENEFITS

Receive food, clothing and basic hygiene kits during Receive food, clothing and basic hygiene kits during cantonmentcantonment

US$300 Transitional Safety-net Allowance to sustain the ex-US$300 Transitional Safety-net Allowance to sustain the ex-combatant while awaiting to enter RRcombatant while awaiting to enter RR

Upon demobilization, ex-combatant can enter any training Upon demobilization, ex-combatant can enter any training program he/she chooses. program he/she chooses.

Collaboration and the Issue of Collaboration and the Issue of National OwnershipNational Ownership

Consultations with implementing partners, Consultations with implementing partners, service providers, religious groups, political service providers, religious groups, political parties and civil society to buy into the parties and civil society to buy into the process and give it legitimacyprocess and give it legitimacy

Regular meeting of the Policy Body (to Regular meeting of the Policy Body (to determine progress and adjust schedule of determine progress and adjust schedule of the DDRR as the need arises, i.e. security, the DDRR as the need arises, i.e. security, compliance with the CPA and ensuring compliance with the CPA and ensuring ongoing commitment of the warring factions to ongoing commitment of the warring factions to the processthe process

The Joint Implementation Unit (JIU), The Joint Implementation Unit (JIU), comprising NCDDRR, UNMIL and UNDP, has comprising NCDDRR, UNMIL and UNDP, has brought together technical expertise from the brought together technical expertise from the various UN agencies and donor countries with various UN agencies and donor countries with representatives of the NCDDRR and relevant representatives of the NCDDRR and relevant agencies of government reviewing technical agencies of government reviewing technical matters arising out of the program and submit matters arising out of the program and submit recommendation to the NCDDRR policy body recommendation to the NCDDRR policy body for decision for decision

DD Information Sensitization BuildupDD Information Sensitization Buildup

DD Information Sensitization BuildupDD Information Sensitization Buildup

DD Information Sensitization BuildupDD Information Sensitization Buildup

DDRR Goes Full Blast: April 15, 2004DDRR Goes Full Blast: April 15, 2004DDRR officially resumed on April 15, 2004

Four cantonment sites opened sequentially

-Gbarnga

-Buchanan

-Tubmanburg

-VOA (Careysburg)

Status of DDRR in LiberiaStatus of DDRR in Liberia DD officially ended October 31, 2004 DD officially ended October 31, 2004

following NCDDRR Policy Body following NCDDRR Policy Body endorsement on September 11, 2004endorsement on September 11, 2004

Military wings of warring factions officially Military wings of warring factions officially disbanded and dissolved on November 3, disbanded and dissolved on November 3, 20042004

103,019 combatants successfully disarmed 103,019 combatants successfully disarmed and demobilizedand demobilized

Residual caseloads around the country still Residual caseloads around the country still being processedbeing processed

Unarmed combatants list from three warring Unarmed combatants list from three warring factions submitted and is being processed factions submitted and is being processed for the RRfor the RR

About 60,000 ex-combatants are currently About 60,000 ex-combatants are currently in training under (a) Formal Education (b) in training under (a) Formal Education (b) Vocational skills training and (c) Vocational skills training and (c) Apprenticeship schemesApprenticeship schemes

Parallel programs primarily focused on Parallel programs primarily focused on Community-based Reintegration provided Community-based Reintegration provided quick-impact employment for ex-combatants quick-impact employment for ex-combatants and host communities through rehabilitation and host communities through rehabilitation of public institutions, roads and bridges. of public institutions, roads and bridges. Parallel programs are currently Parallel programs are currently concentrating on providing training for XCs concentrating on providing training for XCs and host community membersand host community members

The process of the RR is ongoing with about The process of the RR is ongoing with about 37,000 former combatants waiting to enter 37,000 former combatants waiting to enter training programs of their choicetraining programs of their choice

RR funding gap currently stands at RR funding gap currently stands at US$4.9mUS$4.9m

Challenges, Lessons LearnedChallenges, Lessons Learned Proper programme planning Proper programme planning Clear eligibility criteriaClear eligibility criteria Flexibility in the implementation phasesFlexibility in the implementation phases Establishment of consensus on number of Establishment of consensus on number of

combatants to be disarmedcombatants to be disarmed Empowerment of national institutions Empowerment of national institutions Maintaining sustainability and credibility of the Maintaining sustainability and credibility of the

processprocess Sensitization not an event, but a processSensitization not an event, but a process Smooth transition from DD to RR, to minimize Smooth transition from DD to RR, to minimize

national security risksnational security risks Provide incentive for agencies that are willing to train Provide incentive for agencies that are willing to train

former combatants in their communities of originformer combatants in their communities of origin Support agencies of government that have the Support agencies of government that have the

statutory responsibility to participate in the RR statutory responsibility to participate in the RR National Recovery programs must complement the National Recovery programs must complement the

RR program goals and objectivesRR program goals and objectives Both political and military leaderships of the factions Both political and military leaderships of the factions

must be engaged at all timesmust be engaged at all times DDRR must be implemented within a regional DDRR must be implemented within a regional

context context

ECOWAS must establish a databank for DDR professionals across the sub-region to do networking ECOWAS must establish a databank for DDR professionals across the sub-region to do networking and support other member states. Focus of such initiative should be geared towards conflict and support other member states. Focus of such initiative should be geared towards conflict prevention rather than conflict resolution. prevention rather than conflict resolution.

ECOWAS should institute a comprehensive plan to address current regional security issues ECOWAS should institute a comprehensive plan to address current regional security issues

ECOWAS must set up a Trust Fund to complement the efforts of the international community as it ECOWAS must set up a Trust Fund to complement the efforts of the international community as it relates to conflict resolution and implementation of DDR processesrelates to conflict resolution and implementation of DDR processes

ECOWAS, in collaboration with AU should institute a sub-regional framework to deal with the issue of ECOWAS, in collaboration with AU should institute a sub-regional framework to deal with the issue of roving non-state actors, taking into account the Sierra Leone-Liberia initiative that established a roving non-state actors, taking into account the Sierra Leone-Liberia initiative that established a sustained regime to curb cross border mercenarismsustained regime to curb cross border mercenarism

Post-conflict countries must prioritize the implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Programs to Post-conflict countries must prioritize the implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Programs to address the socio-economic needs of their war-affected populations. Such plans should be supported address the socio-economic needs of their war-affected populations. Such plans should be supported fully by ECOWAS, AU and the rest of the international communityfully by ECOWAS, AU and the rest of the international community

Post-DDR Small arms collection programs must be prioritized and localized with the support of the Post-DDR Small arms collection programs must be prioritized and localized with the support of the national government and the international community national government and the international community

The Way ForwardThe Way Forward

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements Thanks to the Ivorian Government, our host, and to OECD Thanks to the Ivorian Government, our host, and to OECD

for sponsoring our participation in this noble endeavor.for sponsoring our participation in this noble endeavor.

Special thanks ECOWAS, the AU, the United Nations and Special thanks ECOWAS, the AU, the United Nations and members of the international community for helping to put members of the international community for helping to put out our fire in Liberia. You are your brother’s keeper. The out our fire in Liberia. You are your brother’s keeper. The Liberian people will hold you dear to their hearts.Liberian people will hold you dear to their hearts.

To the donor communities, we say a BIG THANK YOU! To the donor communities, we say a BIG THANK YOU! The Liberian people extend heartfelt thanks and The Liberian people extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation for standing by them in their darkest hour. We appreciation for standing by them in their darkest hour. We sincerely pray that this will be our last DDR in Liberia.sincerely pray that this will be our last DDR in Liberia.

From Ex-combatants to New CitizensFrom Ex-combatants to New Citizens