There’s Reason for Hope in Liberia

The struggle for power continues in Liberia, but finally there is reason for a little hope. The three rival leaders have signed a formal cease-fire agreement that could nudge the war-ravaged nation a step closer to a new government, national elections and stability--all essential for rebuilding a nation in ruins.

The violence began more than a year ago when Charles Taylor led a coup against President Samuel K. Doe and his loyalists. Doe had used violence a decade earlier to wrest control of what had been a corrupt government from the descendants of freed American slaves.

Doe quickly dashed any hopes for reform. He murdered government leaders, and imposed brutal corruption, favoritism and absolute rule on the small West African nation. He was murdered last year by Prince Johnson.

Johnson, Taylor and Gen. Hezekiah Bowen--the leader of Doe’s troops--want a stake in the new government. But if Liberia is to recover from the months of indiscriminate carnage, the competing factions must forge a consensus.

The fierce fighting claimed as many as 20,000 lives and forced as much as one-half of the nation’s small population to flee up-country or to neighboring countries.

At the height of the fighting, the Economic Community of West African States sent a multinational peacekeeping force to impose order. ECOWAS leaders also negotiated the initial cease-fire in October and the formal agreement that was signed last week. Until the new government is formed, the 7,000 soldiers--primarily Nigerians and Ghanaians--will remain in Liberia.

To aid ECOWAS in its peacekeeping and relief efforts, President Bush approved $2.8 million last month. That was on top of $127 million for food and other humanitarian aid, by far the bulk of international support.

Liberia’s civil war destroyed its political, social, economic and agricultural infrastructure. Massive international assistance and attention will be needed to rebuild and support the return of a democratic and civilian government.