Lutheran World Federation
Liberia Monthly Report May-June 2004

An overview of the current situation by LWF representative Charles Pitchford

Security
There are now a total number of 15,000 authorized UNMIL Peacekeepers on the ground and deployed throughout the Republic of Liberia.  The last contingent of Senegalese Soldiers deployed to the southeast of Liberia during late June.  Having said that, it will take another month or so, to establish and construct the checkpoints along the way before security can be seen by the civilians, who have continually undergone suffering at the hands of the combatants at large, as being generally stable.  

As a reminder, Tubmanburg was and continues to be the stronghold of the LURD Rebel Group.  Although there have been several splits in the LURD leadership, the majority the fighters looked up to one Mr. Chayee Doe, a younger brother of the late slain President Samuel K. Doe, who, even after his appointment as the Managing Director of the Port authority, continued to live in Tubmanburg among his fighters while the majority of the other leadership moved to Monrovia.

In May, the LURD announced that they no longer desired Mr. Conte to continue as the LURD Chairman and selected Mr. Chayee Doe as their new leader.  Just one week later Chayee Doe was rushed to the USA with a mysterious brain disorder that resulted in his death.  Having met him just a few months before, he appeared to be in perfect health.

A US Official visiting Monrovia in May was found murdered in his Mamba Point Hotel Room #12 bed.  This occurrence has been a terrific shock to foreigners and locals alike.  The US Embassy reacted by ordering all Americans to vacate the hotel until security could be reestablished.  There has been a warrant for the arrest of the prime suspect but until now, he has not been apprehended.  In spite of the fact that the Liberian Police have given this case top priority, no progress seems to have been made.  However, the hotel has since resumed normal operation.

Of lesser significance but another indication of the wider spread of crime, is the fact that someone living on our Lutheran Compound breeched my office window and stole my laptop computer from my office during the night hours of a Friday.   To accomplish this, they had to climb on a very high platform, pry open the window, and use a long stick to fish the computer wires, from which dangled my laptop, before squeezing it through the iron protective bars.   My office window is less than 40 meters from a permanent security guard position.  As a result, I have lost the e-mail listing of my monthly report recipients.  An increase in burglaries inside the compound have also been noted during the last few months. 

The obvious fact that we have unscrupulous persons living on the compound is of grave concern to both myself and the LCL Bishop Harris.  Together, we are working closely with the security company to initiate improvements in our security standing orders aimed at prevention.   Street crime of all types are on the rise necessitating that foreign visitors remain vigilant and avoid being alone on the street, especially in the downtown area, after 10PM.  The UNMIL imposes a curfew of 12 midnight.

Combatant Demobilization: More than 57,000 combatants have been disarmed since disarmament began on 7 December last year, and approximately 90% of them have been processed through the demobilization sites. The UNMIL is now speaking about the need to disarm 40,000 more combatants.  You may recall that the original estimate of combatants to be disarmed was anticipated at 38,000.  Why the increase has not yet been explained except for the possibility that combatant commanders have given guns to all their relationships rather than allow one combatant to turn in multiple arms for the same price.    Also, UNMIL, at the last moment quietly allowed any person conscripted into the rebel forces to enter the program without a weapon if properly identified by the field commanders.  The combatants are often not really that interested in the disarmament process but they want to get the NFI issue, the two month food for 5 ration, and the cash $300 USD that is a part of the deal. The UN Ambassador, Jacque Klein, says that already, more combatants have been disarmed than in neighboring Sierra Leone. 

During May, almost on a daily basis, there were disturbances by armed combatants who have grown impatient with the pace of the demobilization process.  They usually come to one of the bigger markets leading from Monrovia toward Kakata (Red-light Market) brandishing weapons and scaring market women so that they run away in order to loot their goods.  The combatants, with decreasing opportunities to loot and pillage, are often found to be languishing without adequate nutritional food and clean water, waiting for the opportunity to get the hand-outs from demobilization.  They generally have dirty unkempt appearances.  Now that some disarmament has taken place, Liberian Citizens have become more empowered to resist the would be looters.

UNMIL will suspend the operation of the Buchanan Demobilization camp on 5 July, where LWS is providing camp management and LCL  providing Pre-discharge Orientation services.   They will open another in  Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County on 9 July 2004.  Essentially, the Buchanan Staff will be rehired in Zwedru.  Of the more than 250 persons it takes to operate a camp, approximately 175 (security staff and casual workers), will be hired from within the local community.  UNMIL anticipates about 6,000 combatants in the Zwedru area and maybe 3,000 more that they anticipate may come across the boarder from the Ivory Coast, as Zwedru is very close to the IC boarder.

There are still three more camps planned to be opened.  They include Ganta, Nimba County, Voinjama, Lofa County, and Harper, Maryland County.   LWS has historically, implemented activities in all of these areas over the past 5 years.  In this vein, we would accept service in these areas however, there is an indication that the UNDP Trust Fund from which the operation of the camps are being funded, is about to dry-up.   There may be funds for Ganta but the other two camps are questionable at this point.  If no further camps open, the combatants would have to be transported from these areas into existing camps. 

Although the management of Demobilization Camps is not a long term endeavor activity, it is deemed to be one of the most highly valued areas of expertise now in Liberia.  We were asked to manage Zwedru based on the outstanding manner of management of both the Gbarnga and Buchanan Camps (and perhaps a little credit goes to the fact that no other agency could respond quickly enough to deploy to Zwedru).  We expect to be approached to manage even another.  The value of this business to LWS is the fact that we have essentially been the leader of the demobilization process which is so far looking to become a successful story, and the local contracts provide much needed income that, although inadequately, helps to offset the shortfall of the SoN.

Political
Mr. Rudd Lubbers came to Liberia at the beginning of June.  A small welcome party was given in his honor at Mr. Klein’ s residence (UNMIL Head of Mission)   where a small contingent of 14 heads of UN and INGO agencies gathered for cocktails in his honor.  Mr. Lubbers spoke of the voluntary repatriation now in process in West Africa.   Liberian Refugees in Sierra Leone are returning to Liberia and vice versa.  There is a concern that unscrupulous candidates for president may organize many refugees and displaced living across borders, that may not truly be Liberian citizens, to come back and cast votes in their favor.  Many politicians want Liberian Refugees to return only in an organized repatriation where the identities of those returning can be confirmed.  LWS has submitted a regional concept paper to UNHCR looking to provide resettlement and rehabilitation services for returning Liberian Refugees from Sierra Leone.

Although Chairman Gyude Bryant is determined to put the country back onto the right track towards free, fair, and transparent elections in October 2005, there still exists many challenges.  These challenges include establishing security in many of the still lawless parts of the country, disarming and providing education and jobs for ex-combatants, and restoring civil authority throughout the country that has generally been ungoverned for 15 years.  It is hoped that Chairman Bryant’s commitment of good governance and democracy will be recognized by donors willing to help Liberia achieve these goals. 

The Liberian National Police was dissolved on July 1st.  The selection of others that will make-up the new police service (Liberian Police Service) is presently in process.  Ex-police officers of all ranks were welcome to apply.  If accepted, they will be re-hired and placed in accordance with their qualifications and training.

On another front, the leaders of neighboring Ivory Coast and Guinea are again pressing for Liberia’s former president Taylor to stand trial for crimes against humanity citing that the region is still in danger of folding as long as persons such as Taylor can continue to live with impunity.  The NTGL Leader Gyude Bryant refuses to call for Nigeria to turn Taylor over because of the possible destabilizing affect it could have among the warring factions.  Second thoughts on this is that such a request to turn Taylor over to the Sierra Leone authorities may be forthcoming at some point after disarmament is complete.

A special meeting of the international contact group (ICGL) on Liberia is expected to convene soon in London to review and assess the Liberian Peace Process amidst reports of serious discontentment among major stake holders. The ICGL is a supervisory and monitoring group in the Liberian peace process providing substantial support and funding in the search for sustainable peace in Liberia.   Specifically, the ICGL will assess and grade the performance of the UN Mission in Liberia in the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement

Many African Diplomats and Liberian organizations have persistently expressed dissatisfaction over what they term the “solo approach” taken by the UNMIL Ambassador Jacque Klein in the implementation of the Accra Peace Agreement. Liberian organizations and professionals alike feel marginalized and have continuously complained of being denied jobs with UNMIL in favor of foreign nationals.

While it is true that local institutions and organizations have been marginalized, it has not been purposefully intended.  UNMIL has, on a number of occasions, solicited the involvement of local organizations in the DD process.  Unfortunately, the proposals received by UNMIL have generally been found seriously wanting and reveal a significant lack of capacity.  Another factor is that UNMIL, having arrived so recently in the country, cannot easily discern the capacity of most of the local organizations, as there often is no history of performance.  UNMIL (with EU donor support) is now looking to implement a rehabilitation plan and has sent out RFP’s via local newspapers. 

By the months end, more than 51,000 of the 57,000 ex-combatants will have been transported from the camps to the general vicinity of the areas that they indicated they wished to return.   As promised them, within 3 months of their return to their homes, they are to be contacted via radio and informed to report to a rehabilitation center in their area for commencement of the rehabilitation process.  Those that wish to go to school will have their school fees paid, those wishing skills training will have opportunities to be trained, as well as on the job training, with local organizations.  UNMIL’s intent is to link skills training with subsequent employment with local business enterprises.   It is a good concept but not realistic in today’s Liberian economy.

LWS has been approached by the rehabilitation section of UNMIL DDRR and asked to participate in the rehabilitation process.  To date they have received few proposals from local institutions with whom they are comfortable.  We have coordinated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the possible use of their “Youth Agricultural Training Center” located on the outskirts of Monrovia. The facility was funded by the German Government during 1978 - 1988.  It was operated as a co-educational institution primarily offering courses in agriculture, with other offerings in home economics, masonry, carpentry, plumbing, metal works, and electricity.  Nearby, the ministry of agriculture maintains a livestock farm for the training of livestock husbandry.

Until the Liberian economy can absorb a high percentage of those being trained, agriculture is the most significant discipline as this will afford those trained an opportunity to provide food for their families and an income from the sale of the surplus.  It is anticipated that land for individual ex-combatant / returning IDP farmers can be provided by private landowners as well as by the government.

As a result of the civil war, the youth and agricultural training center, situated on 1,500 acres of land dense with oil palm, lost everything and most of its 28 structures were severely damaged.  We feel that this is an excellent facility to use for training ex-combatants and returning IDP’s.  LWS intends to partner with the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) in this challenging endeavor as the church, through its urban ministry, presently offers training in many of the same skills training disciplines.  The most significant challenge will be to get the facilities renovated as the programs now being funded do not offer any money for refurbishment of facilities because their program assumes that the training facilities are already functioning the ex-combatant trainees will be able to live in their homes.  This is definitely not now the case and the start of serious skills training programs linked to jobs is stalling. 

Economic
There is a broad based push by Liberians to have the UN Sanctions against the export of precious minerals and timber, lifted.  However, there are those that continue to stand apposed, stating that until Liberia is again settled, we cannot be certain that the revenues coming from the export of minerals and timber, will be appropriately used to rebuild the devastated country.

Liberia is again inviting oil companies to conduct oil exploration for oil in Liberia’s off shore deep water.  So far, there has been a seismic study at the cost of 6.4 million USD conducted by an American geophysical company out of Houston Texas. 

The NTGL government has mandated that payment of government worker salary arrears will begin on 1 July 2004.  It should be noted that many government salaries are less that $20 USD per month, perhaps not enough to have a positive impact on corrupt practices.

Although many jobs have been, at least, temporarily created and many are economically benefiting from the trickle down affect of funds being pumped into the communities causing more demand for goods and services, many Liberians are being kicked out of their dwellings by retuning landowners intent of refurbishing for future rental to UNMIL or other agencies.  The Lebanese are leading the reconstruction activities in Liberia as they are both the suppliers and real estate barons.

Liberians are hoping that the funds pledged during the donors conference will soon be forthcoming and used to rebuild the country, create many more jobs, and provide potential international business investors the confidence they need to begin investment activities in Liberia.

Locally, the US Dollar has gained slightly against the Liberian Dollar, as the rate is now 58 LD = 1 USD.  However, the price of rice per bag has climbed steadily from 18 USD to 25.