Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Monrovia (Fides Service) – Peace talks between the Liberian government and rebel groups opened on June 4 at Akosombo (Ghana). The 2 rebel groups are: Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, LURD and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia MODEL. President Charles Taylor and heads of state of neighbouring countries are present at the talks. The talks were organised under the auspices of the Community for Economy and Development of West Africa CEDEAO and they are presided by Ghana’s President John Kufuor and a contact group instituted by the United Nations, comprising the European Union, the African Union, the United States, France, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco.
This is the first time that Liberian government and Liberian rebel groups start talks to end to a bloody civil war which has disrupted the country since 1999 involving also bordering countries, mainly Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.
The tragic situation in Liberia, established as a country in the 19th century by descendents of African slaves in America, was the subject of a recent statement issued by the Committee for International Policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 29. The statement was signed by the chairman of the Commission Bishop John Richard of Mensacola-Tallahassee. “Since 1999, - the Bishops write -the people of Liberia have suffered the grave consequences of a civil war that has cost the lives of thousands of innocent civilians. More than one million people have been forcibly displaced while another half a million people have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Government and rebel forces have been accused of committing egregious human rights abuses, including the sexual abuse of women and young girls and the conscription of minors for military service, massive looting, ethnic massacres, and other atrocities.”
The war, according to the American Bishops has destroyed the economic and social life of the country: “Health and educational infrastructures, already in tatters from the first civil conflict in 1989-94, have been devastated by the war. Unemployment hovers at over 85% and most legal economic activities are at a standstill.”
In this context, the Bishops underline that “Churches, hospitals, and other buildings belonging to the religious communities of Liberia have been pillaged and destroyed by rebel groups and by forces loyal to President Taylor. Despite these many setbacks, the Catholic Church pursues its mission to serve those who are most affected by the war… Together with the Catholic Church in Liberia, we remain convinced that there can be no military solution to the civil war in Liberia…We support the call of the Catholic Church and the Interreligious Council of Liberia for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, and for negotiations leading to the creation of a government of national unity. “ LM (Fides Service 4/6/2003 EM lines 40 Words: 512)
