History of Liberia:

Liberian History In the early 19th century, during the American abolitionist movement, the USA chose Liberia as a location to re-settle freed American slaves. Despite resistance from the indigenous population and the local chiefs, the American Colonization Society (ACS) forced a treaty upon the local king at Cape Mesurado, the present-day capital Monrovia. The new Americo-Liberian settlers established the first independent republic in Africa in 1847.Unfortunately the Americo-Liberian minority replicated American history by persecuting and enslaving the indigenous population and excluding their right to citizenship.

In 1980 Samuel Doe became the first indigenous national leader. Doe’s victory ushered a decade of authoritarian rule. The first indigenous taste of political power was used as an opportunity for retribution. In an act that shocked the world, Doe ordered the public execution of 13 ex-ministers on a Monrovian beach. Doe did not have any political experience and surrounded himself with members of his own clan. He exploited Liberia’s diamond and timber industries, accumulating vast amounts of money at the nation’s expense. Liberia’s economy rapidly declined over the next few years. The 1980s saw real income fall by half, the unemployment rate rose by 50%, and the country experienced regular electricity blackouts.

On Christmas Eve, 1989, a young Charles Taylor launched a rebellion against Doe’s regime. Doe’s troops reacted, indiscriminately killing hundreds of unarmed civilians, raping women and burning villages. Thousands fled to neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea. It was the beginning of a pro-longed state of civil war.

By 1990 Taylor’s rebel forces had gained control over Liberia. Many young Liberians joined rebel armies with hopes of moving up in the world, others were abducted and forced to fight. The following 15 years of violence left over 250,000 people dead and close to one million displaced. Looting, rape, mutilation and cannibalism became common place.

In 2003, 15,000 multinational troops successfully disarmed 40,000 fighters from three warring factions. Deployed by the UN, it was one of the most successful peacekeeping missions in history. Following two years of rule by a transitional government, Liberia elected Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson as President in 2005. She was the first female elected head of state in African history.