CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
The
eruption of most territorial conflicts around the world generally stems from
ideological or religious differences, nationalism, colonialism, politics and
competition for natural resources. While some easily degenerate into prolonged
conflicts or wars that eventually involve the use of heavy weaponry, others get
settled through diplomatic moves, coercion by the international agencies or
agreements Nwolise, O. (2004).
From
December 1989, Liberia was engulfed in a brutal civil war. The war led to the
overthrow and assassination of the government of Master Sergeant Samuel Doe,
who had himself come to power in a bloody military coup d’etat on April 12,
1980. The conflict led to the flight of refugees to neighboring countries like
Sierra Leone, Guinea (Conakry) and Cote d’Ivoire and later to other countries
in the sub region like Ghana, Nigeria and the Gambia. Apart from these, a large
number of Liberians were internally displaced by the conflict.
Peacekeeping and
conflict resolutions has its origin in the United Nations and since its
inception, the United Nations has developed a number of instrument for
controlling and resolving conflicts between and within states Akabogu,
Chike (2009).
The most crucial among
them as in the Secretary General’s supplement to an agenda for peace is: peace
building; disarmament; sanction; and peace enforcement. The United Nations does not claim monopoly
of these instruments. It is pertinent to state that in many instances, the
instruments have been usefully employed by regional organizations, ad-hoc
groups of the states or by individual states.
The comparative
advantage which the United Nations has is the tremendous wealth of experience
in the use of these instrument and the legitimacy of their use for conflict
resolutions Idike, Vincent (2012). Furthermore, the United Nations system
appears to be better equipped and financed than regional organizations or
individual member states to develop and apply the comprehensive, long-term
approach needed to ensure the lasting resolution of conflicts.
Conflict resolutions,
one of the best known United Nations instrument for the maintenance of peace
and security requires the cooperation of the parties to conflict in question,
while seeking to settle disputes through initiatives. Conflict resolutions in
the West – African sub-region especially in Liberia, was the idea of United
Nations to resolve the crisis in the war-torn Liberia and subsequently in the
sub-region. The political crisis in
Liberia reached its apogee following the invasion of the Nimba country by
Charles Talyor in December 1989 under the banner of National Patriotic Front of
Liberia (NPFL) Cordia and Foot (2007).
By early 1990, the
situation degenerated with rebel forces having reached Monrovia. International
call for a cease-fire went unheeded and mediation efforts ultimately proved
abortive.
It is worthy of mention
at this juncture that the Liberia crisis is a strong case that the United
Nations can perform duties that go beyond classical peacekeeping functions as many
of the conflict situations call for the ability to combine normal combat with
non-military tasks of handling in providing humanitarian relief and the much
needed peace Alan, James (2011).
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