Factors in the Liberian National Conflict: Views of the Liberian Expatriates

By Dr. Samuel K. Ngaima Sr.

This book identified and analyzed the historical, political, cultural and social factors responsible for the Liberian National Conflicts, also known as the Liberian Civil Wars. These conflicts resulted in the destructions, genocide and divisiveness among the ethnic groups and increased refugee problems. The book traced and uncovered the historical, political, social, economic religious and cultural factors in the Liberian conflicts. It described as one of the prime factors, the unique formation of the Country and subsequent the leadership style and the social stratification for more than 140 years of Americo-Liberian oligarchic regime. The exclusions of the majority of the indigenous Liberians from the political and economic activities of the Country was identified as one of the factors to the conflict. The book revealed that nearly all of the 60 Liberian expatriates interviewed by the author considered as prime factors in the Liberian civil conflict, the perpetuation of Americo-Liberian governance over the majority indigenous Liberians for more than a century and the resulting disparities in political, educational and economic opportunities among the Liberian citizens.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503524392

Dr. Samuel K. Ngaima Sr.

Dr. Samuel Kpehe-Ngolo Ngaima, Sr. holds Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Management from the Walden University and Certificate of Advanced Study in Public Administration from the Hamline University both in St. Paul, Minnesota. He earned a master’s degree in Business with emphasis in Accounting at the Southeastern University, Washington D.C. and a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of Liberia in Liberia. He has published two scholastic articles in the Minnesota Futurist. The author has served in the administration of four Liberian Presidents: Presidents, William V.S. Tubman, William R. Tolbert, Samuel K. Doe and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. He worked in both the Government and the Business sectors in Liberia and the United States of America for more than forty-eight (48) years.

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Copyright © 2014 by Dr. Samuel K. Ngaima Sr.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014921805

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-5035-2437-8

   Softcover   978-1-5035-2438-5

   eBook   978-1-5035-2439-2

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Revised date: 01/30/2015

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CONTENTS

PREFACE

DEDICATION

FORWARD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

Introduction

Methodology

Participants and Process of Interview

CHAPTER TWO

FOUNDING OF LIBERIA

American Colonization Society

Establishment of Liberia

Americo-Liberians and Segregation of Indigenous People (1947 –1980)

Social Change and the Economy of the New Republic (1940–1980)

CHAPTER THREE

FOUNDING FACTORS IN LIBERIA’S PROBLEM

Clench on Political Power

Unprepared and Early Independence

Contributing Factors in the Liberian National Conflict

The Coup and Military Rule

Political and Economic Factors

CHAPTER FOUR

DIFFERENT PERCEPTIONS OF THE LIBERIAN CONFLICT

West African Perceptions

Indigenous Liberian Perceptions

Americo-Liberian Perceptions

Samples of Participants Responses

How Discrimination and Tribalism Contributed to the Liberian National Conflict

CHAPTER FIVE

ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS

Historical Factors

Local Factors

The Americo-Liberian in Exile Factors

Regional Factors

The West African Factors

The Ivorian Government Factors

The Burkina Faso Government Factors

The Ghanaian Government Factors

The Libyan Government Factors

International Factors

The United States Government Factors

The Israeli Government Factors

The European Governments Factors

CHAPTER SIX

DISCUSSIONS, SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Suppression of the Indigenous Liberians

Elections in Liberia

Feelings of Superiority and Suppression

Methods of Governance

Social and Economic Effects of the War

The Spread and Success of the War

Unanticipated Results

President Doe’s Capture and Death

Local and International Interventions

Recommendations

PREFACE

Dr. Samuel K. Ngaima Sr. saw the need for Liberians and other stakeholders to know the factors that actually led to the Liberian National Conflict which caused the deaths of more than 250,000 people, displaced more than half of the Nation’s population and destroyed most of the infrastructure of the nation; such as medical and educational facilities. He believed that it is important for Liberians and other interested persons to know the Factors in the Liberian National Conflict: Views of the Liberian Expatriates to avoid a repeat of such a destructive conflict.

He identified and analyzed the historical, political, social, cultural and economic factors, as well as individuals responsible for the Liberian National Conflict. This conflict resulted into complete destructions, genocide and divisiveness among the Liberian people. The author traced and uncovered the prime factors to the conflict, such as the unique formation of the country and, subsequently, the leadership style and social stratification instituted by the Americo-Liberian oligarchic regime for more than a century. The exclusion of the indigenous people from the political and economic activities of the country was identified as one of the prime factors of the Liberian conflict.

The findings from the participants further revealed that the perpetuation of Americo-Liberians hegemony in political powers and their methods of governance over the majority-the Indigenous- for more than a century as well as the disparities in political, educational, economic and social opportunities is one of the major causes of the Liberian Conflicts. The author pointed out that adherence to a strong constitution and abiding by the rule of laws lead to an end to violence and create unity across class and ethnic division and revolts against individuals who victimize their own people –the same Black Race- to obtain power and wealth.

When the United Nations was formed in 1945, the human race was weary of war that many people believed that war would never occur again. On the contrary, the book showed that the objectives for creating the United Nations-to bring an end to human atrocities, destructions and killing of helpless women, children and unarmed men were not accomplished. In the case of Liberia, few individuals decided to contribute fund, resources and man power to over throw the elected Government of President Samuel K. Doe.

Dr. Ngaima is further convinced that Factors in the Liberian National Conflict: Views of the Liberian Expatriates is relevant in today’s society because of the increasing democratization of the world, spearheaded by the West and sought by the progressive populaces of the developing countries. His book promotes equality, justice and egalitarianism, which are crucial values for promoting peace and social stability.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated in loving memory of my late parents, Honorable, John Ngaima and Madam Korpo Finda Ngaima, in recognitions of their invaluable and sacrificial services to my life. Their love, care and affections to me and my children, as well as the contributions to the Gbandi Chiefdom, Kolahun District, Lofa County will forever be remembered. No befitting and empathetic history can be written about my success in life without references to their investments, courage and imaginations for my future.

Regrettably, the bullets in the Liberian National conflict took both of my parents away in 2001, only because they were members of the Gbandi Tribe in Liberia. President Charles Taylor and his then defense Minister accused the Gbandi people of harboring Liberian United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels which led to the death of my parents. Unfortunately, the Government and fighters of Charles Taylor’s NPFL refused to release the remains of my father to the family for proper burial. His remains were thrown into a mass grave on Foyia-Kolahun highway. My father, affectionately called Doctor Ngaima and my mother, Ma Korpo did not have the heroic funerals that they deserved from us, particularly from me and my children.

Pa and Ma, without your contributions to my life, I may not have fulfilled any of my important dreams. Therefore, once again, THANK YOU.

FORWARD

The author of this book analyzed the stratifications against the Indigenous people and the continuous domination of political, social, and economic activities of the Liberian Government led to the rampant, violence, genocide, destruction, and displacement of more than half of the population of the country and threatened the security of West African sub-region .

The book revealed as one of the underlining factors in the Liberian National conflict, the perpetuation of Americo-Liberians governance over the indigenous for more than a century and the disparities in political, educational, and economic opportunities among Liberian citizens is a major problem in Liberia. The findings in the book suggested that an end to the violence and return of the vast majority of the Liberian people in exile will not only bring about the unity among the Liberians across class and ethnic divisions but uprisings against individuals who victimize their own people to obtain power and wealth. The author suggested that Liberia needs a new society with policies of inclusions and equal opportunities that must be implemented to promote reconciliation among all Liberians. On the contrary, the interviews revealed that religion, which has been a major cause of national and international conflicts in the world, was the least mentioned factor in the Liberian civil war.

In addition, the author advocated that the international community must provide logistical and economic support for rebuilding the country and creating the conditions for lasting peace and stability. He proposed that a new society must be created with policies of inclusion and equal opportunities that will bring about reconciliation among all Liberians, regardless of social and economic status.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am most grateful to Almighty God, who blessed me to survive the bloody Liberian civil wars and the out-break of Ebola virus in Liberia and granted me the opportunities to embark on writing this book. For without His Grace, I may not have been alive, like my parents, many of my friends, relatives, and colleagues who died as a result of the Liberian conflict and Ebola outbreak.

This accomplishment was only possible with the love, support, and care from my late parents, the Honorables, John and Korpo Finda Ngaima, who departed this life in 2001. My special thanks and appreciation to my children: Saybah Rosee Ngaima-Philips, Korpo Finda Ngaima-Hanson, John Ngaima, Korpo Buttuh Ngaima-Nyuma, Samuel Kpehe Ngaima, Abbey Jowo Ngaima, Albert Sangbeh Jallah, Momo Ngaima, Joseph Ngaima, Samuel K. Ngima, Jr. and Kafalyn Korpo Ngaima. I give special commitments in memory of my son and friend, the late Martin Samuel Ngaima, who was taken away from us on August 31, 2003, by the bullets of arm-robbers in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The love and support of my children have been a blessing, motivation, encouragement, and they sparkled my achievements.

I am extraordinarily grateful to my lovely grandchildren; Prince Ngaima, Martin Samuel Ngaima, Jr. Martina Ngaima, Felicia and Flex Daydor Tarwo Jr., Presco, Presilyn and Praise Hanson, Abraham Ngaima, Jartu Ngaima, John Ngaima, Jr., Mathew Martin Ngaima, Valjohlyne Miatta Pajibo, Alaric and Fatima Wilson, Sunnette and Amy Nyemah, Debora Kennie Ngaima and Tristan Samuel Ngaima who granted me the opportunities to accomplish my dreams, without feeling guilty because of the time that we missed together.

My gratitude to my brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and all other relatives in Liberia, United States and other parts of the world for their inspirations. I am dearly grateful to my children’s mothers, my son in-laws and my daughter in-laws for their cooperation and support to me during this period of my life. I am also very thankful to my many friends, coworkers and supervisors, especially, Dr. Abeodu B. Jones and Dr. A.E. Nyema Jones for their editorial contributions, Rahael M. Kpissy, my nephew, Rev. G. Laurenzo Stevens and his wife, Rebecca Stevens, and a man I call my friend and brother, James S. Worlobah and his wife, Marilyn Worlobah as well as my cousin Joseph M. Selay and my dear friend and partner, Winde Akoi, whose incisive and simulative ideas helped me to have completed this book project. I am thankful to Dr. Amos Mohammed Sirleaf for the permission he granted me to use pictures and data from his book as well as all those whose information I used in writing this book as shown in the bibliography.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

Introduction

The primary purpose of this book is to expose the factors that contributed to the Liberian Civil War also referred to as the Liberian National Conflict. This conflict resulted in destruction, genocide, and divisiveness among the Liberian ethnic groups and increased refugee problems. This book uncovered the factors that led to the Liberian national conflict and the impacts the civil conflict had on the historical, political, religious, social, and cultural lives of Liberians. It has also determined the extent to which these factors have contributed to the destructions in the country.

In the book, there are synopses of Liberia’s historical background and political situation, as well as the leadership, power struggles, and social stratification in the country, all of which played roles in the conflict. In this book, the author examined the major factors that led to the change in the 133-year-old Americo-Liberian oligarchic regime, the rise and fall of the military government, all of which contributed to the national conflict.

Conflict is described as an expressed struggle or a situation in which two or more people perceive their goals in seeking to secure scarce resources, power, or influence as incompatible and seek to prevent interference from other parties in pursuing their goals. Therefore, this book will provide the Liberians an understanding of the factors, individuals, nature, as well as the origin and evolution of the Liberian conflict. This means that it is essential for Liberians to understand what causes conflicts in order to prevent such conflicts as the one in Liberia.

Internal conflict can manifest in many forms, ranging from individual behavior, such as avoidance, exclusion, hostility, prejudice, or discrimination,