Liberia: Current Issues and United States Policy (CRS Report for Congress)
Premium Purchase PDF for $24.95 (19 pages)
add to cart or
subscribe for unlimited access
Pro Premium subscribers have free access to our full library of CRS reports.
Subscribe today, or
request a demo to learn more.
| Release Date |
Feb. 6, 2001 |
| Report Number |
IB96025 |
| Authors |
Nicolas Cook, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Liberia, a small west African country,was established in 1847 by freed Americanslaves. In December 1989, Liberia plungedinto civil war. Factional conflict raged for seven years, despite a dozen peace agreements, thedeployment of U.N. observers, and a regionalintervention force of the Economic Communityof West African States. The conflict causedover 150,000 deaths, and displaced much ofthe population. The warring factions committednumerous atrocities and forcibly enlistedthousands of children as fighters. Throughoutthe conflict, Congress and successive administrationssought to ensure adequate assistancefor the Liberian people, thus maintaining along-standing relationship with Liberia. TheUnited States had been Liberia's leadingpre-war trading partner and a major aid donor.
