Liberia’s Rebels
Liberia’s Rebels
LURD and MODEL
This chapter evaluates the resources, options, and preferences of two rebel groups—the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL)—during the 1999–2003 civil war in Liberia. As President Charles Taylor's regime failed to rebuild the war-torn country or establish a democratic regime, Liberians sought to remove Taylor from power. In 2000, the LURD became a full-fledged rebel movement. Initially, Taylor held the upper hand because he had already built a supply network during the first civil war and could capitalize on his ability as a head of state to import arms legally for the defense of the country. However, a second rebel group—the MODEL—emerged and the rebel groups strengthened and received new supplies from their cross-border patrons. Unable to procure additional weapons, Taylor later accepted asylum in Nigeria. The war ended officially in August 2003 when the fighting factions signed a peace agreement in Accra, Ghana.
Keywords: LURD, MODEL, Liberian civil war, Charles Taylor
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