USAID/OTI Liberia Field Report May 2004
Program Description
USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives’ (USAID/OTI’s) Liberia Transition Initiative (LTI) is part of US Government efforts to enhance stability, promote a smooth transition to peace and democratic governance, and support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed on August 13, 2003. Since OTI began operations in Liberia in March 2004, LTI staff has been working to empower Liberians to create the foundation for lasting peace and a just society. The LTI program’s four main areas focus on:
- Promoting good governance and transparency,
- Encouraging the development of an independent media,
- Supporting human rights and transitional justice initiatives, and
- Promoting community reintegration and reconciliation.
Working with local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), key government ministries, UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), community groups, and media entities, OTI identifies and supports critical initiatives that support the country’s transition from war to peace. LTI’s implementing partner is Creative Associates International, Inc. (CAII). The $15 million FY 2004 budget includes $3 million in Transition Initiative funds and $12 million in Supplemental Funds.
Country Situation
The existing peace in and around greater Monrovia is fragile. There are continued reports of fighting upcountry between opposing forces, and looting by armed combatants has led to further destruction of infrastructure. There is still confusion over the nomination and approval processes for ministerial and other posts due to limited access to the peace agreement and other explanatory material. Some members of Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), and former Government of Liberia officials and associates of the Taylor administration continue to threaten to pull out of the peace process.
General Security: Insecurity remains a major problem in Liberia, despite approximately 15,000 UN troops and 800 UN civilian police. The UN security phase for Monrovia, including all of the IDP camps located there, was recently lowered to Phase IV (permissible and with permanent UNMIL presence). In addition, River Cess, Sinoe, Grand Kru, Maryland and River Gee Counties in the southeast remain in UN Phase V (insecure and with no permanent UNMIL presence). Isolated skirmishes continue outside Monrovia in Bong, Nimba and Grand Bassa Counties.
Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DDRR): DDRR programs for combatants continue in four planned sites (near Monrovia, Gbarnga, Buchanan, and Tubmanburg). There are plans to open three additional sites in Zwedru, Ganta, and Lofa within the next few weeks. In early June, UNMIL reported that 42,755 combatants had been processed out of a target of 53,000 estimated former combatants since the launch of the disarmament program last December.
Elections: In May 2004, the National Elections Commission (NEC), in collaboration with UNMIL and with the support of LTI, began the process of electoral reform in preparation for national elections planned for October 2005 under the CPA. LTI supplied the NEC with a “Ministry in a Box” kit of office equipment and furniture.
USAID/OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
The entire Liberian Transition Initiative staff engaged in a four-day strategic planning session which served to clarify goals, objectives, activities, and monitoring methods for the LTI program. The session set forth a six-month action plan and performance indicators. Strategic planning review sessions will be held every six months.
LTI has made significant strides in each of the four focus areas. LTI assisted two commissions established under the CPA – National Elections Commission and the Governance Reform Commission – to start offices and build capacity to carry out their objectives. Grant activities continued with a focus on expanding the important work begun on Transitional Justice to include a nationwide survey. The Youth Education for Life Skills (YES) project design to facilitate community reintegration and reconciliation was completed and a pilot phase will begin immediately.
Highlights of recent LTI activities included grants to:
- Facilitate a participatory process of resolving conflicts and issues between the University of Liberia administration and students to ensure a harmonious opening of the school after more than a year of being closed.
- Initiate a “No-Losers, Only Winners” football tournament between various civilian and ex-combatant groups encouraging disarmament and community reintegration in Bong County.
- Initiate a “No-Losers, Only Winners” football tournament between various civilian and ex-combatant groups encouraging disarmament and community reintegration in Bong County.
- Establish a radio production studio in Gbarnga allowing local production of news stories and programs in English and local languages. This is the only production studio of its kind outside of the capital.
- Renovate an office building for the Liberian Refugee Repatriation and Reintegration Commission (LRRRC) in Tubmanburg to enable the service agency to establish a field presence
- Provide tool kits for community empowerment and ownership of newly repaired wells at Bo-Waterside.
Hot Topics
Sports and a new lease on school life to 5 Public High School in Monrovia
The five public high schools in the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS ) are now the pride of other sporting competitors as they were proud recipients of the Liberia Transition Initiative sports tool kit for peace. The sporting equipment donated to each of the schools includes a set of football, kickball and basketball jerseys.
LTI also provided two footballs, basketballs and kickballs each to involve over 7,500 students.
Not only are the students basking in their new sporting gear on their campuses and in the national sporting arena, they have also organized themselves into volunteer groups to help clean up their respective schools. Previously, the public school students were the center of disruptive street demonstrations in support of their teachers to whom the government owes eighteen months of salary arrears.
With over 7,500 students now quietly engaged in constructive academic and sporting activities, both private and public school students in the capital are beginning to feel like normal students again. The Chairman of the MCSS Council, Superintendent, Principals, Sports Directors and students are proud, and also relieved, that students were back in school and the streets are quieter following the significant disruptions during March and April.
B. Grant Activity Summary – USAID/OTI Liberia
USAID/OTI Summary of Cleared and Completed Activities
| GOOD GOVERNANCE |
$119,000 |
$992,000 |
3 |
21 |
| MEDIA |
$20,000 |
$96,000 |
1 |
3 |
| PEACE & JUSTICE |
$177,000 |
$442,000 |
5 |
14 |
| YOUTH TRAINING |
$0 |
$0 |
0 |
0 |
| TOTALS |
$316,000 |
$1,530,000
| 9
| 38 |
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
A pilot for the YES program will be launched in August with the development of the curriculum for the training program completed at the end of July.
The Liberian Transitional Justice Working Group will conduct a nation-wide survey on attitudes and opinions concerning justice issues. This activity will make an important contribution to understanding perceptions and opinions on justice issues specific to Liberia.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington: John Gattorn, Liberia Program Manager, 202-712-0716, jgattorn@usaid.gov
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