AFRICA: ‘Bad Governance Causes Civil Conflict'

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has told several prominent individuals, former executives of Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) and a number of former Heads of State attending ECOWAS International Conference in Monrovia that the root causes of civil conflicts in Africa are associated mainly with bad governance, lack of respect for human rights, socio-economic and political inequity and grinding poverty.

“The record is clear that the root causes of civil conflicts in Africa are bad governance, lack of respect for human rights, socio-economic and political inequity and grinding poverty. Liberia is no different,” President Sirleaf emphasized.

Delivering the keynote address at the program, Madam Sirleaf characterized the origins of Liberia's conflict to two broad factors. First, she stressed that significant portions of the society were systematically excluded and marginalized from institutions of political governance and access to key economic assets. She added that the over-concentration of power bred corruption, restricted access to the decision-making process, and limited the space for civil society participation in governance processes. Secondly, she indicated that economic collapse helped to propel the crisis.

Before proceeding with her speech, the President asked the audience to stand and observe a moment of silence in memory of the peacekeepers, partners of Liberia, and the thousands of Liberians who perished during the bloody civil war in the country.

The Liberian Chief Executive recommitted the role of ECOWAS to Liberia, particularly those who labored so tirelessly for peace in the country. The Conference which is currently being deliberated under the theme: Two decades of peace process in West Africa: Achievements, Failures and Lessons, brought together the former President of Nigeria,
General Olusegun Obasanjo; former President of Ghana, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings; former Gambia President Sir. Dawda Kairaba Jawara; and ECOWAS former Executive Secretary, Abass Bundu.

Others include Ambassador Pernille Dahler Kardel of Demark accredited to Ethiopia, African Union (AU) and ECOWAS; Ambassador Thomas Germinger, Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs; James Victor Gbeho, President of the ECOWAS Commission; and Ramtane Lamamra, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security.

Madam Sirleaf recalled that an Act of the National Legislature created August 24 each year as national holiday, in commemoration of the national insignia of Liberia, its flag. She narrated that it was on that day, in 1847, when the Lone Star was hoisted over the first independent African Republic in sub-Saharan Africa.

But on August 24, 1990, President Sirleaf recounted, there was addendum to the country's history. She explained that the Lone Star had difficulty unfurling because a bloody civil war was being waged.

She told the participants that the country was partitioned into spheres of control among three warring factions. Fortunately, up the Atlantic Ocean came a ship laden with peacekeepers from neighboring countries in West Africa, to intervene in ending the era of violence in Liberia.

Upon arrival, President added, the Peacekeepers raised a white flag to signify peace, friendship and neutrality but their friendly gesture was greeted with hostility, for upon landing on Liberian soil, they were greeted by a firestorm of mortar shelling.

“Although they sustained casualties, they were brave and courageous, and determined to execute their mission of separating the warring factions, ensuring a ceasefire and, eventually, holding a democratic election,” she recalled.

Madam Sirleaf stated that at the height of the war, there was a popular slogan, which many Liberians still passionately believe and acclaim: “Thank God for ECOMOG”.

“So again, on behalf of the grateful people of Liberia, I salute the men and women of valor - the compatriots of spine and courage who made daring sacrifices for peace to reign in Liberia.”

The Liberian leader also paid special homage to the men and women who paid so dearly for the peace and stability Liberians enjoy today.

She lauded the leaders of West Africa at the time in 1990 who took the critical decision that helped save the country: President Dawda Kariba Jawara during whose Chairmanship of the Authority of ECOWAS the decision to constitute and deploy ECOMOG was reached; General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who as Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provided the largest force and bore the logistical brunt of the intervention; President Jerry John Rawlings, who commissioned one of his best soldiers to serve as head of the ECOMOG Force; President Lansana Conte; and President Joseph Momo who demonstrated good neighborliness and in spite of their difficulties deployed their troops to Liberia.

She also acknowledged Dr. Abbas Bundu, under whose stewardship as Executive Secretary of ECOWAS a decision guaranteeing peace in Liberia was made, and also General Arnold Quainoo, who led the first contingent of 4,000 Peacekeepers to Liberia to begin an epic military operation that would prove to be enviable, exemplary and worthy. “Liberians continue to have fond memories of the heroism and military leadership of Generals Joshua Dongayaro and Adetunji Olurin,” she noted.

President Sirleaf further told the august gathering that the tragic consequence of violence was not confined to Liberia alone. “Like a cancerous virus, it spread widely, slowing the process of democratization that was progressing in West Africa,” she added.

She said when the request for assistance to end the crisis was made -- first by Liberia, and then by ECOWAS to the country's influential partners -- they refused to intervene on grounds that it was an African crisis requiring African solution, meaning that Africans should handle the situation.

President Sirleaf recalled that it was Nigeria which led the bold step to encourage intervention to halt the slaughter and genocide being perpetrated in Liberia.

She noted that the establishment and deployment of ECOMOG represented the first credible attempt at a regional security initiative since the erstwhile Organization of African Unity (OAU) attempted with an international African force to intervene in Chad in 1981. “The West African operation,” she said, “was generally successful because ECOWAS member States were united in removing armed violence from politics.”

Madam Sirleaf pointed out that they wanted peace, security and stability. As a result, they recognized that a state of insecurity was completely counterproductive to socio-economic advancement, the main purpose for the establishment of ECOWAS.

The Liberian Chief Executive explained that today, as it was in Liberia 20 years ago, “we call for robust international support for the efforts of ECOWAS to accelerate the political processes in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea and Niger.”

She said she was confident that the ECOWAS conference will produce the desired result and that at the end of the exercise, West Africa and the people of the region will be even more proud of the success of ECOWAS and that the ECOMOG model will be a trademark for West African progress.

She told former Heads of State and dignitaries that Liberia is on the move after decades of economic mismanagement and 14 years of brutal civil war adding, “the country's national nightmare is over.”