Catholic leaders 'lament' U.S. withdrawal from Liberia

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October 2003

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Leaders lament U.S. withdrawal from Liberia
In an joint statement issued on October 3, Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, and Michael Francis, Archbishop Of Monrovia, Liberia, expressed their concern over the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Liberia and urged a greater U.S. commitment to peacekeeping and stability in the region, one that should include a new deployment of peacekeeping forces.

"Although the United States military has departed Liberia," the statement begins, "the conflict, the humanitarian crisis, and the terror have not.

"While UN peacekeeping forces promise to eventually improve security throughout the country, they'll need assistance as they fully implement their mission, a process likely to take months. It is lamentable that the United States has withdrawn its troops during this critical, transitional period."

In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal fresh clashes between government soldiers and rebel militias erupted in a suburb near the capital Monrovia, killing ast least three people.

In the countryside, thousands of Liberians continue to flee harassment, rape, and summary executions by lawless gunmen of the government militia and both rebel movements, and, according to the statement, thousands more remain in urgent need of humanitarian aid. "Right now, strong U.S. leadership is needed to help stabilize Liberia and support its reconstruction. Right now, Liberia needs more, not less, of a U.S. commitment to its future."

CRS continues to provide emergency relief to displaced Liberians in the cities of Monrovia, Buchanan, and Harbel. But, according to CRS, despite the previous efforts of the West African (ECOMIL) peacekeeping forces—as well as the United States’ logistical assistance to them—and now the presence of the UN peacekeepers, nearly three-quarters of the country remains inaccessible to aid groups because of ongoing fighting and instability. As a result, relief agencies estimate between 200,000 and 500,000 displaced Liberians urgently need food, shelter, clean drinking water, medical supplies and other relief materials.

According to the joint statment: "However, despite the urgency, humanitarian aid will simply not get through without improved security. It’s unsafe for aid workers to travel throughout the country, and most Liberians, though in need, ironically want nothing to do with fresh supplies of food or medicines; such materials only make them more attractive targets to predatory warring parties who have frequently massacred, raped and looted Liberian civilians. In recent months alone, an estimated 2,000 civilians have been killed."

The U.S. withdrawal was also regretted by Oxfam’s Raphael Sindaye. "Beyond Monrovia, the law of the gun still reigns," he said. "The U.S. presence has been symbolically and strategically important.

The U.S. had three warships with around 2,300 troops stationed off the coast of Liberia since August, often conducting patrols by helicopter and providing limited on-the-ground support to the 3,500-strong West African peacekeeping force. A UN force assumed peacekeeping duties on October 1, but it is unlikely to reach its target of 15,000 troops for some time.

In spite of an August 18th peace agreement, which paved the way for a new government to take power in Liberia in mid-October, the situation in the country remains precarious, according to Oxfam. More than 500,000 people are still homeless and many are prey to continuing violence and insecurity.

Oxfam staff in Liberia are particularly concerned that the Americans’ departure will lead to increased abuses in camps for displaced people in Montserrado County just outside of Monrovia. Displaced families who have started returning to these camps from makeshift shelters in the city center report harassment by armed men, particularly at night.

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