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Africa: West
Liberian Gov’t, Rebels Sign Peace Deal
2003-08-19
Okay folks, Fred has given you a new tool to estimate how long it will take for these jokers to break this peace deal. I say 99% in 30 days, and that’s only because Fred didn’t offer me 7 days. EFL.
Government officials and rebels signed a peace accord Monday to end a three-year insurgency that devastated Liberia, left thousands dead and drove out warlord-president Charles Taylor. ``The war is over,’’ declared one rebel leader.
... ducking, as bullets whizzed overhead.
Calm settled into Monrovia as shopkeepers opened for the first time in a month, though many residents and refugees who crowded the capital had little money with which to buy desperately needed food.
"How much for a rib?"
"A nickle"
"Gimme three cents worth."
The accord, signed in Accra, Ghana one week after Taylor’s flight into exile, calls for a two-year transition government meant to lead Liberia into elections — and out of 14 years of vicious warfare that left parts of virtually every city and town in this West African nation in ruins. ``I want to believe that with the signing of this agreement today, Liberia will never be plunged into another spiral of violence in the quest for political power, or under the false pretense of liberating the people,’’ said retired Nigerian Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, chief mediator in the 2 1/2 months of talks.
And then — his lips fell off!
The two rebel movements — Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia — signed, along with representatives of Liberia’s post-Taylor government. ``Today is a good day. Today is a happy day. The war is over for now,’’ Liberians United leader Sekou Conneh declared, exchanging copies of the deal with his rebel and government counterparts, and frisking embracing them. The signing of the accord comes in a fast-paced week of momentous events in Liberia, beginning with Taylor’s resignation and Aug. 11 departure from Liberia under pressure from rebels, West African leaders and the United States.
Thought that sucker'd never go...
Rebels on Thursday lifted their siege of Monrovia, allowing vital food and aid to flow. Under Monday’s peace deal, rebels and government alike waive any claim on the top posts in the interim government — yielding control to non-combatants for the first stretch of rebuilding. Rebels and members of Taylor’s ex-government will be allowed lower-ranking positions — seats in Cabinet and the legislature — in the interim government.
"Mr. Smith Goes to Monrovia."
Y'know, if they were serious about setting up a government that would actually rebuild their country, they'd ask for resumes from disinterested parties. They can't trust each other to be vice prez, or minister of defense, or minister of interior. Why not hire a Rumanian, a Thai, and a Samoan to fill the slots? They certainly couldn't do any worse than the guys they had in there before. I mean, if you're going to push a "multinational" approach, why not try it from an angle that has a chance of working?
Ghana President John Kufuor was on hand for the agreement, which saw representatives of the United Nations, European Union and African Union sign as witnesses. The United States also has had an influential delegation at the talks.
"You better not make us come in there!"
Brig. Gen. Festus Okonkwo, leader of a two-week-old West African peace mission, said he expected to have a second full Nigerian battalion on the ground by the end of the week. The first troops from Ghana, Senegal and Mali would join them within the same period.
And man are they going to be unhappy since the Nigerians have had a two week head start on the looting and the womenfolk.
About 150 American forces are on the ground as well. President Bush said Monday that the Marines have a limited mission and will be withdrawn by Oct. 1. "Their job is to help secure an airport and a port so food can be off-loaded and the delivery process begun to help people in Monrovia," Bush said in an interview last week with Armed Forces Radio and Television Service in Miramar, Calif., where he was visiting with thousands of Marines, sailors and Coast Guard personnel. Moses Blah, Taylor’s designated successor, is to resign in October to make way for the power-sharing government.
Sure, and I have a copy of LGF’s flying pig just in case.
Liberia’s combatants have broken all past peace accords, and returned to fighting. Liberians and the international community have held out hope that Taylor’s departure, and a promised U.N. peace force, will make a difference this time.
How do you say "Figger the odds on that happ'nin', Kemo-Sabe!" in Liberian?
Hours before the peace deal, Liberian Defense Minister Daniel Chea accused rebels of new attacks, saying rebels had pushed north Sunday from the former northern Taylor headquarters of Gbarnga.
Like we was just saying ...
Posted by:Steve White

#3  Let's time this. Who's got a stopwatch?
Posted by: tu3031   2003-8-19 9:51:28 PM  

#2  Moses Blah is to resign in October to make way for the power-sharing government.
Somebody won't get as much power as they think they deserve and the fighting will start again. October is less than two months away.
Posted by: Steve   2003-8-19 12:43:45 PM  

#1  I give it three months.
Posted by: Pappy   2003-8-19 11:32:27 AM  

00:00