Liberia Says Enough Is Enough : Apparent cease-fire opens up the possibility of national reconstruction

An apparent cease-fire negotiated at a summit of the Economic Community of West African States in Mali may have finally ended Liberia’s brutal civil war. The return of peace will allow Liberians--with the urgent assistance of their neighbors and the international community--to begin the arduous rebuilding task.

The agreement to stop the shooting was signed by Charles Taylor, who started the carnage when his army invaded his homeland last year. A representative of his chief rival, Prince Johnson, signed the document, along with a representative of troops still loyal to the former president, Samuel K. Doe.

Doe wrested control of the presidency in a murderous coup a decade ago. Once in power, he tortured opponents and proved even more corrupt than the descendants of freed American slaves who had held power and privilege since they founded the nation in 1847. His chief rival, Taylor, battled fiercely for months to overthrow Doe. As Taylor got closer to his target, Johnson opposed him. The fighting resulted in wholesale slaughter. As many as 10,000 Liberians were massacred, including women and children who had taken refuge in a church. Nearly one-third of the country’s population fled to neighboring countries.

As the fighting became more brutal, ECOWAS sent 8,000 soldiers from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Gambia and Sierra Leone. The peace-keeping task force came under criticism after Doe was captured, mutilated and murdered in their headquarters.

The foreign troops will stay on to monitor the cease-fire and to help relief efforts. There is no water or electricity and little food in Monrovia. Thousands of Liberians, especially women and children, are near death due to starvation and disease, say relief workers sent by the United Nations. The troops will provide security as ships carrying tons of rice are unloaded. Now that the world can see that foodstuffs will actually reach the starving, more countries should send aid. It’s another way to support Africans solving African problems.