Liberia: West Africans In, Marines Out

As fierce fighting continues in Liberia’s murderous civil war, five West African nations have agreed to send peace-keeping troops in an attempt to impose a cease-fire and restore order. The task is at best a job for African soldiers and not for the U.S. Marines.

Nigeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Gambia are expected to send forces to Monrovia, the besieged capital of Liberia, as early as next week. The regional initiative is a first during a civil war in Africa. The multinational forces, formed by the Economic Community of West African States, will try to quell the conflict, which is fueled primarily by tribal and political rivalries. Their role should relieve the Marines, which are in Liberia solely to protect the U.S. Embassy, the ambassador and a few remaining Americans.

The West African initiative is important because it represents the first time that African nations are responding to an African civil war. If successful, it also represents the potential of Africans to resolve other tribal disputes and border conflicts.

The peace-keeping troops will be headed by a Ghanaian general. That should reassure wary Liberians who fear Nigeria, the largest and most powerful nation in the region. Nigeria’s president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has long been an ally of Liberia’s embattled president, Samuel K. Doe, so some Liberians fear that Nigeria’s powerful and well-equipped troops would restore order and allow Doe to continue his brutal ways.

Doe must go to pave the way for peace in Liberia. He seized power in a coup 11 years ago, and is holed up in his luxurious seaside mansion where he is literally fighting for his life.

His primary foe, Charles Taylor, no hero himself, has accused Doe of repression, corruption and tribal favoritism. Another rival, Prince Johnson, has taken hostages in an attempt to force international intervention. His action brought in the Marines to evacuate the remaining Americans and protect the embassy, but not to intervene. Intervention should be left up to the Africans.

If the international forces prevail, they are expected to help Liberians set up an interim government that would hold free elections within a year. But none of the warring leaders--Doe, Taylor or Johnson--will be allowed to participate.

Any talk of a new government is premature while government and rebel troops continue to fight. At least 5,000 Liberians, including unarmed men, women and children have been murdered. As many as 500,000 Liberians have fled. Those still in Monrovia are without electricity, water and food.

As the violence continues, the West African peace-keeping forces must quickly come to the aid of Liberia. Africans helping Africans are the best hope for peace in the region.