Post-conflict development in Liberia: Governance, security, capacity building and a developmental approach

Abstract

This article examines the causes of the Liberian Civil War of 1989-2003, and proposes policy alternatives that the current government can pursue to ensure durable peace and development. The paper argues that bad governance accounted for the conflict. Therefore, if peace, security and development are to be attained, there is a need for the current government to adopt and implement four policy options: good governance, security sector reform, a long-term development approach, and capacity building at the national and local levels. Although the new President of Liberia has taken some critical steps towards implementing some of these policies, more work needs to be done to address 106 106 EdwardBankaGariba corruption, and promote transparency, accountability, good governance and development if a relapse into conflict is to be avoided.