Liberia: Sustaining the Transition to Peace and Recovery

Abstract

Liberia has generated great interest in international policy circles in recent years. The United States has provided a leadership role in focusing attention on this war battered country. While Liberians and observers acknowledge this attention, questions about concrete commitment to aid remain. The signing of a peace agreement in August 2003, the installation of a transitional government, and a donors' conference held in February 2004 all seemed to point to a window of opportunity for Liberia. Organized by the United Nations (UN), the United States and the World Bank, the donor's conference was intended to pledge funds and create an action plan for Liberia's reconstruction. A UN-World Bank needs assessment estimated that Liberia would need $488 million for reconstruction over two years. Pledges from the donor's conference topped that amount, totaling $520 million, including $200 million from the United States. Clearly the onus is on Liberians to seize this opportunity for a new beginning, even though the donor community will be a partner in this process. A successful recovery effort is bound to draw on lessons from previous experiences within Liberia and throughout the continent.