CHAPTER ONE

1.1     INTRODUCTION

For over two decades, the West African sub-region has not known

peace. The sub-region has witnessed the worst form of political crisis,

resulting into civil wars, guerrilla wars, rebellious wars, insurrections,

etc.

This regrettable incidence has turned the west-African sub-region into a

hotbed of crises and has resulted to deaths, displacement of

populations and political instability.

Of all the countries, Liberia stands out with the worst record of notoriety.

The crisis in Liberia contributed greatly to other upheavals in the sub-

region.

Historically, the political crisis in Liberia can be traced to the coming into

power of Samuel Doe on April 12, 1980. A development which did not

go down well with the ‘Americo-Liberians’ who had been ruling the

country since independence.

The succeeding events after Doe’s coming to power, which included the

coup attempt by Thomas Quiwonkpa and his later execution, sparked

off anger among the Americo-Liberians who considered no other option

but a rebellion against the government.

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They therefore formed the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) as

a rebel force in December 1989, under the leadership of Charles Taylor,

and invaded the country with the primary aim of toppling the

government of Samuel Doe and installing Charles Taylor as President.

What followed was a civil war, with enormous effects on Liberians and

the entire West African sub-region.

But for efforts aimed at ending the war, by sub regional, continental and

global organizations, the conflict in Liberia would still be raging on with

no prospect of peace.

One area where the effect of the war has been felt the most, is in the

displacement of the Liberian population. They are now scattered in most

West African countries. A development that has resulted in serious

refugee crisis in the West-African sub-region. One organization that has

however been in the forefront of catering for the refugees and

championing their reintegration and resettlement is the United Nations

High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR)

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1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Most of the crisis in the West African sub region can be traced back to