The conflict in Liberia seems never-ending. Many people have asked again and again when the fighting might stop once and for all. However, no one has received a satisfying answer. There are people who have dedicated years to the peace process and others who have dedicated the same amount of time to war. Where is the common ground where these two sides can meet and find a way to stop the violence?

Perhaps, one of the reasons peace has been elusive is because the people fighting are no longer fighting for their needs. The war has moved to a more superficial plane. "Violence for the sake of violence" or more likely for the sake of money. The warlords, in control of the seven different factions fighting for control, are making a profit from the diamond and timber industries (Gemini News Service). So, what could convince these men that peace will ultimitly be more profitable than war, while also meeting the demands of all seven of the factions? It seems an impossible task.

There have actually been several proposals to initiate peace. However, before the untried proposals are discussed, it should be recognized that there have been several failed attempts at peace. There have been numerous agreements signed, and even a cease-fire that lasted for two years (Deng, et al). However, all such attempts to calm the warlords and facilitate cease-fires, disarmament, and transitional governments have been unsuccessful. The NGOs inability to fulfill their role and the structure of the different agreements have contributed to these failed attempts.

Different NGOs working on the project have not had the funding and military force to stabilize the country and enforce peace. There have been agreements that were too ambiguous and let the country slip back into chaos, as well as agreements that have been disregarded by the various warlords. All of these reason coupled with the fact that the warlords are actually profiting right now, have made those working on conflict resolutions hard pressed to find reasonable solutions.

The force that is facilitating much of the conflict management in Liberia is ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). This coalition of states believes that it has a vital interest in creating peace in Liberia, as it could eventually affect the rest of the West African sub-region (Deng, Kimaro, Lyons, Rothchild, and Zartman). ECOWAS created ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) to go into Liberia and provide a peace-keeping presence after it was understood what affect the Liberian conflict could have on the surrounding area.

In general, such regional organizations have not proved to be the best means to address the source of the conflict because they tend to recognize only state actors. However, they provide a good forum for discussion and "can facilitate conflict management when all parties are genuinely seeking to reduce conflict and increase responsible sovereignty (Deng, et al)." In Liberia the latter part of the statement has not proved to be true; the warlords have not simultaneously wished to reduce the nature of the conflict.

Some of the solutions proposed to end the conflict are interesting and deserve attention, but most fail to provide a comprehensive framework for creating peace. As of May 31, 1996 there was an unofficial proposal to make Liberia a UN trusteeship (Gemini News Service) While this proposal enraged many of the citizens of Liberia, it might be one worth looking at. However, if the UN were to make Liberia a trusteeship, would it have the desire or power to forcefully disarm the different factions? How would taking over Liberia calm the chaos that has become the everyday for the citizens of the country?

Another idea has been to give more funding to ECOMOG so that it can fulfill a peace enforcement role. Where would the funding would come from? It seems that many want the United States financially involved, and so ECOWAS might look to them for help. By enabling ECOMOG to bear heavier arms and have more man-power, the agreements that are signed but ignored could be enforced. However, no one is sure that ECOMOG is willing to put forth such man-power and risk the disaster that could follow from such a move. Many do not look favorably on ECOMOG taking on such a potentially violent role in Liberia. Especially since its loyalties are questioned. There is a suspicion that ECOMOG has aligned itself with one of the factions and is working for its benifit.

Some call for more UN support with peacekeepers, not venturing as far as a trusteeship. " . . . accountability for the responsibilities of sovereignty must ultimately fall on the international community, and more specifically, the United Nations (Deng, et al)." However, it seems unlikely that the UN will be willing to commit to such a hopeless venture without the cooperation of the warlords

Is an embargo against the timber and diamond trade a possibility? The different factions would not be making the same amount of money and might not have the same incentive to continue fighting. Perhaps combined with some of the other solutions it might carry enough clout to actually produce results.

The future for Liberia is not the most hopeful, but while there continue to be people who live there and care about the land it will not be a lost cause. Perhaps, people already perceive it as that, but for those who still are feeling the devastating affect of war, it will never be completely hopeless. It might be unimaginable for some to live in the chaos of Liberia, yet surviving there creates a strength within the people that will help them rebuild their state.

Copyright, E. Gray Sutherland-Rice 1996