Second Liberian Civil War 1999-2003

Abstract

The Second Abuja Agreement which ended the First Liberian Civil War on August 17, 1996 had stated the disarmament of armed factions, the reintegration of their fighters into society, and the holding of free and fair elections. However, the implementation of the terms of the Abuja Agreement was subjected to a terrible flaw. International and regional organizations such as the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States rushed to hold elections before the end of the transitional activities that represented by disarmament and reintegration, which produced in a dictatorial government headed by Charles Taylor by force of arms. This government adopted a policy based on exclusion and marginalization of the ethnic groups that make up the society Liberian. Consequently, these groups, especially the Mandingo and Karan ethnic groups began to organize an opposition to the regime in Guinea. Then they began armed action inside Liberia, leading to the outbreak of a second civil war in 1999, which lasted until 2003. The country also suffered from a security and political collapse. Additionally, the infrastructure, social, and economic aspects of the country all declined.