The Economic Community of West African States, Conflict Management and the Liberian Civil War

Abstract

The article examines the impact of the use of multiple modes of conflict management -- peacekeeping, peacemaking, & peace enforcement -- by the Economic Community of West African States (ECO WAS) on the resolution on the Liberian Civil War. Overall, the use of the multiple modes of conflict management created the conditions for the resolution of the Liberian Civil War; specifically, the use of the peacekeeping mode helped to control & minimize the fighting between the belligerents. The peacemaking mode provided the avenues for reaching a political settlement as the terra firma for the termination of the civil war. In the case of the peace enforcement mode, it helped to induce compliance with the peace accords signed by the warring factions. Adapted from the source document.