The Analysis of Armed Conflict: A Brief Insights of ECOMOG’s Role in Liberia

In recent decades, the vast majority of armed engagements in the world, with African being no exception have occurred within single states, rather than between states. Apart from perpetrating great human suffering in the immediate area of conflict, civil wars have major impacts on stability and prosperity throughout the region where they occur. This article which depicts an extract from my recent book entitled: Liberia’s Emerging Democracy-the role of Liberian Women and the Media, presents the most comprehensive but brief analysis of ECOMOG’s approaches to restoring law and order, and resolving the carnages that were being wild spread by rebel fighters and naughtiness soldiers in the country, which formally came to an end in 2004. The article provides fresh insights and examines how ECOMOG applied its mandate under the United Nation resolution to militarily intervene to end the carnages in the country.

During ECOMOG presence in the country, it gradually but comprehensively changed the way it applied its mandate to protect the unarmed population. Our research on the subject which was topic of my graduate dissertation sought to highlight the sacrifices the force made in the process of calming situation, and to, maintain peace and security to situations of war in the country. As the security situation depicts during the war, ECOMOG moved from a stance of disengagement from militarism to one of engagement, and most actively succeeded to engage parties to the conflict to reach and implement-yet more complex accords that would sustain peace and prevent further conflict relapse. Part two of this article in its full details will be released next week in the local media, however, I want to encourage the public to read my new book entitled: Liberia’s Emerging Democracy-the role of Liberian Women and the Media.

It is generally believed that the attainment of peacekeeping relies on an attitude of neutrality, on trained and experienced multinational troops and on a promise to use force only in self-defence. Also essential are adequate and reliable sources of finance, a clear and practicable mandate and the continued support of the UN Security Council, the only body that can effectively authorize such an intervention. At the time of deployment, it is questionable whether ECOMOG conformed to any of these principles. Firstly, its peacekeeping mandate was clearly problematic in August 1990 when there was no comprehensive ceasefire to monitor.

Former President Samuel K. Doe

A comprehensive examination of the origins of the Liberian conflict stated in December 1989 by the former rebel group National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles Taylor to forcibly overthrow the regime of president Samuel Doe. As the fighting escalated, the international community displayed marginal interest leaving ECOWAS to initiate a regional response to the crisis by establishing a standing mediation committee with the mandate to implement a diplomatic solution. The arrival of ECOMOG in Liberia was to restore calm and bring the factional fighting to an end. In the process of achieving ECOMOG objectives, dozens of peacekeepers suffered greatly and lost their lives.

On August 7th 1990, a lack of progress on the diplomatic front prompted the SMC to begin the insertion into Liberia of a military monitoring group ECOMOG which was deployed in order to overawe the warring factions, and to oversee the implementation of a cease-fire, the disarmament of the warring factions, the cessation of arms imports and the release of prisoners. The ECOMOG operation began on 24 August 1990 with deployment of 3,000 West African troops in the capital. It was tasked with "assisting the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee in supervising the implementation and in ensuring the strict compliance by the parties with the provisions of the cease-fire throughout the territory of Liberia. Whilst the commander initially envisaged a six month operations, the force continued to be deployed until late 1999, and, indeed, expanded its operations into neighboring Sierra Leone, to confront similar situations.

The contributing nations and troop strengths varied, but included at one time or another Nigeria, which provided the bulk of the forces, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Uganda, Tanzania, Niger, Burkino Faso and Sierra Leone. In February 1995, for instance, the force consisted of 8, 430 troops organized into ten battalions; of these troops 4,908 were Nigerian, 1,028 were from Ghana, 609 from Guinea, 747 from Tanzania, 760 from Uganda, 359 from Sierra Leone, and ten each were provided by Gambia and Mali. The force peaked at strength of around 16, 000 in 1993 and by early 1997 was reduced to 11,000 troops.

The West African states that formed the original ECOMOG were all governed by leaders that came to power through military coups d'etat, headed single-party governments, or demonstrated a tendency to hold on to power perpetually. They were President Dawda Jawara of The Gambia, Ghana's Flight-Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings, General Lansana Conte of Guinea, Nigeria's General Ibrahim Babangida and Major-General Joseph Momoh of Sierra Leone. Currently, none of any still holds such lucrative office. As a rebels’ group, the NPFL had mobilized adequate human resources and military materiel to effectively topple the Samuel Doe’s regime which was accused of gross human rights violations and abuses. This aroused fears of a regional domino effect which spurred the 'unholy alliance' of reactionary rulers (Sesay, 1995) to resist the forces of change embodied in the NPFL. They did this forcefully, immediately collaborating with the AFL and the INPFL to prevent Taylor from taking Monrovia and taking over the presidency.

Former President Charles Taylor

The initial deployment of ECOMOG also brought into focus the sharp rivalries between the region's Anglophone and Francophone countries. President William R. Tolbert who lead from 1971 to 1980 before his forcible removal from office in a bloody military coup d'etat, helps to establish a strong links between the Liberian state and the francophone axis, dominated by Cote d'Ivoire. By executing President Tolbert and members of his family and inner circle, President Doe broke these ties spectacularly, and subsequently forged a close alliance with President Babangida's regime in Nigeria. With Ivorian and Burkinabe backing the NPFL incursion, the balance of power was shifted back in favour of the Francophone bloc. As a result of the leadership struggle among the two blocs, ECOMOG was seen partly as a Nigerian/Anglophone attempt to defend its regional profile.

The Standing Mediation Committee (SMC) was certainly dominated by the Anglophones and ECOMOG, opposed by Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, reflected this action. From the outset, the force has been guided largely by the Nigerians, who provided around 70% of its human, financial (estimated at US$4 billion) and military resources. Togo and Mali, both members of the SMC, initially refused to send troops to Liberia, and the only francophone country involved was Guinea which bore the brunt of Liberia's refugee problem during the war. Later in the conflict, Senegal, Mali, Tanzania and Uganda did deploy troops after successive internationally-sanctioned bids to dilute Nigerian dominance. However, only the Malians have maintained a sustained presence. The Senegalese quickly pulled out when six of their soldiers were killed by the NPFL.

As the international community failed to take rapid and meaningful steps to contain the carnage in Liberia, responsibility for direct intervention fell on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In May 1990, ECOWAS convened a Standing Mediation Committee (SMC) which soon assumed the primary role in the peace process. By the end of August, the SMC had established and deployed ECOMOG and organized a national conference which duly elected the civilian Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) headed by a former professor of Political Science at the University of Liberia, Dr. Amos C. Sawyer.

General Arnold Quainoo of Ghana((retired)

Originally, ECOMOG was intended to monitor a ceasefire which the NPFL refused to sign at the time of deployment. However, they soon adopted a peace enforcement posture after the execution of president Doe in September 1990, repelling the NPFL and securing Monrovia for the IGNU accession. Although ECOWAS protocols on non-aggression and mutual defence seemed to provide the legal basis for ECOMOG intervention in Liberia, it was nonetheless an unprecedented initiative. ECOMOG was the first example in the world of a 'regional' peacekeeping force sent in to oversee the resolution of an internal armed conflict.

Charles Taylor’s dream to overrun Monrovia and launch an onslaught on the population was frustrated by Nine ECOMOG Force Commanders whose war’s strategies and plans denied the NPFL from overrunning Monrovia and its environs. While the feuding factions in Liberia were put under the security guard of ECOMOG, West African leaders criss-crossed the sub-region looking for an answer to the Liberian puzzle. From Accra through Lome and Cotonou to Abuja and to Bamako, Liberia dominated the politics of the region. The first Commander was General Arnold Quainoo of Ghana; he set foot on the Liberian soil in August, 1990 during the heat of the war.

The force, drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, was mandated to maintain law and peace, protect life and property, maintain essential services, provide security for the interim administration, observe elections and conduct normal police duties. The force, which became operative in late August 1990, was initially under the Command of Ghana's Lt. General Arnold Quainoo, the Buffalo Soldier. He held the position for a brief period, less than three months. The Ghanaian Commander was replaced by a Nigerian after President Doe was arrested at ECOMOG Headquarters by Prince Johnson of the INPFL and gruesomely murdered. It was during his tenure that Mr. Doe was captured at the Freeport of Monrovia on September 24, 1990 by Prince Johnson’s INPFL and subsequently killed.

Following the death of president Doe, Nigeria named a courageous Nigerian General, Major General Joshua Dogonyaro in 1991 who upon arrival on the soil demanded that the NPFL should move sixty miles away from Monrovia. Mr. Taylor forces then surrounded the capital and came close as far as the University of Liberia Capitol Hill Main Campus and outskirts of Monrovia. He succeeded in pushing NPFL towards Kakata and beyond Roberts International Airport to Firestone Plantation. According to his personal profile, Lieutenant-General Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro was born on September 6, 1942 at Dakan-Kuka, Plateau State. He had his education at Boys Secondary School, Gindiri; Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna (1964-67); and Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji.

Lt/General Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro((retired)

Lt.Gen. Dogonyaro enlisted in the Army in 1964 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (1967).During his career in the Army, Lt.Gen.Dongoyaro held several command positions such as Officer Commanding, Recce Squadron, NA, (1967-69); Quartermaster General 1 Infantry Division (1969-70); Commanding Officer,1 Recce Regiment, NA (1972-76); Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigeria Army Armoured Corp (1976-77); Commanding Officer, 24 Armoured Brigade (1977-79); Director of Manning (Army) Headquarters; Director of Armoured (1985); and General Officer Commanding, 2nd Mechanized Division, NA, Ibadan (1987). In 1992, he was appointed ECOMOG Field Commander in Liberia, a task which he accomplished successfully. Thereafter, he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He retired in 1993. Lt.-Gen.Dongoyaro, a Member of the National Institute (MNI), holds the military decorations of Distinguished Service Medal (DSS); and Meritorious Service Star (MSS).He is a Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria (FIAMN); a Qualified and Incorporated Administrative Manager (QIAM); and a life Member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

He was later replaced by Brig-Gen Adetunji Idowu Olurin, in 1992-93 by no nonsense fearless disciplined Nigerian war general who again ran Taylor’s NPFL Forces from Monrovia and its environs during the NPFL infamous Operation Octopus. General Olurin broke Taylor’s NPFL back and chased them beyond Monrovia. The NPFL launched Operation Octopus, a major offensive to seize Monrovia and destroy ULIMO in October 1992.

Brig-Gen Adetunji Idowu Olurin(retired)

It shelled Monrovia and nearly captured the capital. ECOMOG responded with a fierce counterattack that included heavy artillery and fighter-bombers attacking residential neighborhoods where NPFL forces were dug in. He bravely took the war to the NPFL Gbarnga so-called headquarters and other parts that were under Mr. Taylor’s controlled, inflicting heavy losses on the NPFL. His profile states that he was born at Ilaro to the late Chief M.A.O. Olurin the Agoro of Ilaro and Madam Abigail Fola Olurin on December 3, 1946. In the course of his career, he attended many professional courses.

He is a graduate of the School of Infantry, Quetta, Pakistan , Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna where he obtained his psc, Battallion/Regimental Commanders’ Course and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos where he obtained his MNI In his career at various times he held many important posts in the Nigerian Army which included Battalion Commander, Brigade Major, Deputy Assistant Quarter-Master General in the Nigerian Defence Academy, Colonel General Staff and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Director of Logistics Planning, Army Headquarters and Brigade Commander. In 1975 at the rank of a major, he became the Deputy Defence Adviser to the Nigerian High Commission in India for three years. After his Staff College

Course in 1978, he was deployed to the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation in Lebanon. He became the Commander of the Nigerian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). His troops were deployed in between the Palestinian and Israeli supported forces. The task was to separate the combatants in the approaches to the Golan Heights and the north of Galilee. The task was accomplished which received commendations from the United Nations. As the General Staff Officer Operations at the Army Headquarters in 1981, he mobilized the OAU peacekeeping force to Chad comprising of Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo). In the same year, he conducted the first Maitasine Operations in Kano.

Furthermore at the same period he prepared the Operational Instructions for Operation Crossbow, Operation Eagle I and II to the Armed Forces in the manoeuvres designed to counter Libyan influence in Chad and Benin Republic and Cameroun’s encroachment in Bakassi. In 1985, he became the military Governor of Old Oyo State where he was for three years. In 1990, he became the General Officer Commanding an elite division of the Nigerian Army, the 3rd Armoured Division in Jos and a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council. In 1992, he was appointed the Field Commander of ECOMOG Peacekeeping Force in Liberia. As the head of a seven-nation peacekeeping force, he was mandated to compel a rebel faction, National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) headed by Mr. Charles Taylor to obey the ECOWAS mandate.

Lt/ General Victor Samuel Leonard Malu((retired)

Following his short stayed on tour of duties, he was replaced by General Rufus kupolati in 1993. General Kupolati has the shortage time in Liberia. He was later replaced by Lt-Gen Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor in 1994. Following the short stayed on duties in Liberia, Nigeria apparently being impatient, named another tough Nigerian Armed General, Brig-Gen Victor Malu in 1996 to restore law and order in the country. It was during his turner as ECOMOG Force Commander that the 1997 unconstitutional Special election that brought Mr. Taylor in power took place. He is credited for being a disciplined soldier and no nonsense soldier.

Lt. General (retired) Victor Samuel Leonard Malu DSS MNI fwc psc was commander of the ECOMOG peace-keeping force in Liberia from December 1996 to April 1998, and was Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria) from May 1999 until April 2001. This fearless African soldier was born on January 15, 1947 at Katsina-Ala, Benue State of Tiv origins. He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; was enlisted into the Nigerian army upon graduation. Later he attended Command and Staff College, Jaji and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

At the time of the February 1976 coup when General Olusegun Obasanjo took power, Malu was chief instructor of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria. After the coup, Malu was interrogated for two weeks but released. Malu became General Officer Training, Army Headquarters and Commander, 7 Mechanised Brigade. He chaired the tribunal that tried General Oladipo Diya and other officers for attempting to overthrow the Sani Abacha’s regime in 1997.

He was Commander of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peace-keeping force ECOMOG from December 1996 to April 1998 during the First Liberian Civil War. Malu impressed both Liberians and international observers with the improvements that followed his taking command. By March 1997 he was able to claim that Liberia was completely cleared of land mines. He fell out with Liberian President Charles Taylor, who in April 1998 accused him of trying to run a parallel government. It was due to this rift that Malu was replaced as commander. In a book he wrote later, cited at Taylor's trial in The Hague, Malu reportedly claimed that in 1997 Taylor secretly smuggled arms and ammunition from South Africa through Monrovia without informing ECOMOG peacekeepers.

General Malu was appointed Chief of Army Staff in May 1999 at the start of President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration and was dismissed in April 2001. Later, Malu said he warned President Olusegun Obasanjo to guard against American involvement in the nation's affairs, saying they were only aiming to further their own interests. He claimed that it was because the Americans disliked his views that Obasanjo fired him before the signing of the Nigerian-United States Military Cooperation Agreement. He was awarded Force Service Star (FSS) Award, Meritorious Service Star (MSS) Award, and Distinguished Service Star (DSS) Award.

After his three years tenure, he was replaced in 1998 by Brigadier General Abdul One Mohammed who also had a short stayed on duties and later replaced in the same year by Brigadier-General G. Kwabe. It was during his tenure that the Taylor’s regime demanded that ECOMOG departed Liberia on the basic of the Status of Forces Agreement, without being decorated in recognitions of their enormous sacrifices to protect millions of lives and properties from the bloody hands of warring factions especially Taylor’s NPFL. Unlike Liberia, ECOMOG’s generals and other high ranking officers were decorated and honored in Sierra Leone.

About the Author: Josephus Moses Gray is the Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Liberia in Paris, France. He formerly worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Assistant Minister for Public Affairs. He holds BA and MA Degrees in Communications and International Relations from the University of Liberia. He is currently pursuing his doctorate studies in International Relations and Diplomacy in France. He has authored several articles and a recent book: “Liberia’s Emerging Democracy”, The Role of Liberian Women and the Media. He is a 2006 International Journalism Fellow and a graduate of an ICFA Global Journalism Program, Washington D.C., USA. He holds dozens of certificates and diplomas in Journalism and Diplomacy from abroad including the Chinese Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, Cape Town, South Africa and Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He can be contacted at Email:jmoses1970@yahoo.com or 0033147635855