Liberian civil war

The Liberian civil war, primarily fought between 1989 and 1996, was a devastating conflict that erupted after a coup in 1980 led by Samuel K. Doe. The war was largely characterized by ethnic tensions between the Krahn people and the Gio and Mano peoples. Neighboring countries became involved, and a West African peacekeeping force attempted to restore order.1

The conflict led to immense civilian suffering and economic ruin. Rebel leaders Charles Ghankay Taylor and Prince Johnson vied for power after Doe's downfall and execution. The war persisted for seven years, with new factions emerging and neighboring nations drawn into the conflict. A truce was finally achieved in 1996, paving the way for elections the following year. The war's aftermath left Liberia's infrastructure, including housing and utilities, severely damaged, with hundreds of thousands displaced. The healthcare system was also in shambles, with international organizations providing makeshift medical care.123