Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy
Encyclopedia
The Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) was a rebel group in Liberia
that was active from 1999 until after the peace accords that ended the Second Liberian Civil War
in 2003. While the group may now be formally dissolved, the interpersonal linkages of the civil war era remain a key force in internal Liberian politics.
The group's only stated political purpose during the civil war that followed its rebellion against President Charles Taylor was to force him out of office. It was believed that the group was strongly supported or controlled by the government of neighboring Guinea
, and it was accused of atrocities during its war against Taylor's government. This was proven after the group's first incursion in April 2000 on Lofa County, the border area between Guinea and Liberia.
The group controlled northwestern Liberia - Lofa and Gbapolu counties, principally - and had its headquarters at Tubmanburg
in Bomi County. A large majority of the group's fighters were Muslims
from the Mandingo and Khran ethnic groups. On June 4, 2003, the group laid siege to Liberia's capital, Monrovia
, and assaulted the city during several bloody battles, although it was unable to capture it. During the siege, the group was accused of firing mortar shells into civilian areas of the city, killing dozens, if not hundreds of people.
However, independent investigations conducted by civil society groupings said the widespread death caused was also due to Charles Taylor's Anti Terrorist Unit
and other militias.
LURD's successes in occupying northern Liberia and besieging Monrovia, in addition to the successes of another rebel group in southern Liberia (the Movement for Democracy in Liberia
, or MODEL) and heavy pressure from the United States
and the international community, effectively forced President Taylor to resign and go into exile in Nigeria
on August 11, 2003, as part of a peace agreement. A transitional government headed by Gyude Bryant
was established on October 14, and it included many representatives of LURD. One of LURD's founders, George Dweh
, became Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly
.
In January 2004, LURD was divided by a power struggle between its chairman, Sekou Conneh
, and his wife Aisha Conneh, an adviser to the President of Guinea
, Lansana Conté
. The group promised to disarm as part of the 2003 peace agreement, although it was accused of simply moving most of its weapons into safe keeping across the border in Sierra Leone
. In June 2004, Chayee Doe, the vice chairman of LURD, was briefly appointed chairman despite an illness, but died two days later. Chayee Doe was the younger brother of the late president Samuel Doe
.http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=41614&SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=LIBERIA
George Dweh was suspended indefinitely as Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly on April 28, 2005, along with his deputy Eddington Varmah and Ways, Means & Finance's Committee Chairman Tarplah Doe, for widespread corruption.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia
(UNMIL) have completed the disarmament of 100,000 ex-combatants from LURD, MODEL and the ex-government of Liberia. The process commenced on December 7, 2003 but was abruptly stopped after militia men demanded money for handing in their guns. The process re-commenced and each ex-combatant received 300 United States dollars.
Testifying before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on August 28, 2008, Sekou Conneh said that, during the war, Sierra Leone and Guinea had allowed the LURD rebels free passage "through their borders with our arms without any questions from them".
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
that was active from 1999 until after the peace accords that ended the Second Liberian Civil War
Second Liberian Civil War
The Second Liberian Civil War began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighbouring Guinea, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy , emerged in northern Liberia. In early 2003, a second rebel group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia, emerged in the south, and...
in 2003. While the group may now be formally dissolved, the interpersonal linkages of the civil war era remain a key force in internal Liberian politics.
The group's only stated political purpose during the civil war that followed its rebellion against President Charles Taylor was to force him out of office. It was believed that the group was strongly supported or controlled by the government of neighboring Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
, and it was accused of atrocities during its war against Taylor's government. This was proven after the group's first incursion in April 2000 on Lofa County, the border area between Guinea and Liberia.
The group controlled northwestern Liberia - Lofa and Gbapolu counties, principally - and had its headquarters at Tubmanburg
Tubmanburg
Tubmanburg, also known as Bomi and formerly known as Vaitown, is the capital of Bomi County in Liberia. It lies in the Bomi Hills northwest of Monrovia and was an iron ore and diamond mining centre until is was largely destroyed in the Liberian Civil War...
in Bomi County. A large majority of the group's fighters were Muslims
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
from the Mandingo and Khran ethnic groups. On June 4, 2003, the group laid siege to Liberia's capital, Monrovia
Siege of Monrovia
The Siege of Monrovia, which occurred in Monrovia, Liberia between July 18 and August 14, 2003, was a major military confrontation between the Armed Forces of Liberia and LURD rebels during the Second Liberian Civil War. The shelling of the city resulted in the deaths of some 1,000 civilians....
, and assaulted the city during several bloody battles, although it was unable to capture it. During the siege, the group was accused of firing mortar shells into civilian areas of the city, killing dozens, if not hundreds of people.
However, independent investigations conducted by civil society groupings said the widespread death caused was also due to Charles Taylor's Anti Terrorist Unit
Anti-Terrorist Unit (Liberia)
The Anti-Terrorist Unit , also known as the Anti-Terrorist Brigade, was a paramilitary force of the government of Liberia, established by then-President Charles Taylor in 1997-98. Chuckie Taylor, Charles Taylor's son, served as commander of the force for a period...
and other militias.
LURD's successes in occupying northern Liberia and besieging Monrovia, in addition to the successes of another rebel group in southern Liberia (the Movement for Democracy in Liberia
Movement for Democracy in Liberia
The Movement for Democracy in Liberia was a rebel group in Liberia that became active in March 2003, launching attacks from Côte d'Ivoire...
, or MODEL) and heavy pressure from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the international community, effectively forced President Taylor to resign and go into exile in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
on August 11, 2003, as part of a peace agreement. A transitional government headed by Gyude Bryant
Gyude Bryant
Charles Gyude Bryant is a Liberian politician. He served as the Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia from 14 October 2003 to 16 January 2006...
was established on October 14, and it included many representatives of LURD. One of LURD's founders, George Dweh
George Dweh
George Dweh is a Liberian politician and a member of the ethnic Krahn group operating in the LURD and the MODEL faction groups. He is also cousin to late President Samuel K. Doe, a Krahn who seized power in a 1980 coup...
, became Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly
National Transitional Legislative Assembly of Liberia
The National Transitional Legislative Assembly was Liberia's legislative body during the country's transition from civil war to democratic rule .-Background:...
.
In January 2004, LURD was divided by a power struggle between its chairman, Sekou Conneh
Sekou Conneh
Sekou Damate Conneh, Jr. is a Liberian politician and former rebel leader.Born in the Liberian town of Gbarnga to an ethnic Mandingo Muslim family, Conneh attended St. Martin's Cathedral School from 1966 to 1973...
, and his wife Aisha Conneh, an adviser to the President of Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
, Lansana Conté
Lansana Conté
Lansana Conté was the second President of Guinea from 3 April 1984 until his death. He was a Muslim and a member of the Susu ethnic group.-Early life:...
. The group promised to disarm as part of the 2003 peace agreement, although it was accused of simply moving most of its weapons into safe keeping across the border in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
. In June 2004, Chayee Doe, the vice chairman of LURD, was briefly appointed chairman despite an illness, but died two days later. Chayee Doe was the younger brother of the late president Samuel Doe
Samuel Doe
Samuel Kanyon Doe was the 21st President of Liberia, serving from 1986 until his assassination in 1990. He had previously served as Chairman of the People's Redemption Council from 1980 to 1986. He was the first indigenous head of state in Liberian history.Doe was a part of a rural tribe in inland...
.http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=41614&SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=LIBERIA
George Dweh was suspended indefinitely as Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly on April 28, 2005, along with his deputy Eddington Varmah and Ways, Means & Finance's Committee Chairman Tarplah Doe, for widespread corruption.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia
United Nations Mission in Liberia
The United Nations Mission in Liberia is a peace-keeping force established in September 2003 to monitor a ceasefire agreement in Liberia following the resignation of President Charles Taylor and the conclusion of the Second Liberian Civil War....
(UNMIL) have completed the disarmament of 100,000 ex-combatants from LURD, MODEL and the ex-government of Liberia. The process commenced on December 7, 2003 but was abruptly stopped after militia men demanded money for handing in their guns. The process re-commenced and each ex-combatant received 300 United States dollars.
Testifying before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on August 28, 2008, Sekou Conneh said that, during the war, Sierra Leone and Guinea had allowed the LURD rebels free passage "through their borders with our arms without any questions from them".
Further reading
- International Crisis Group, "Liberia: The Key To Ending Regional Instability", ICG Africa Report N° 43, 24 April 2002