Liberia

Children served in the Liberian militias [Hillary Norris]

Fourteen years of war ended in 2003 - devastated by years of conflict, young Liberians are now starting to learn what life is like in peacetime

Former President Charles Taylor left Liberia in 2003 in the midst of a crisis. Since then UN peacekeepers have been deployed across the country, co-ordinating a national Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme.

The war displaced one million people and left 200,000 dead, while 80 per cent of people live below the poverty line, and the country is heavily dependent on foreign aid.

In November 2005, presidential elections brought to power Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's first elected woman head of state.

CAFOD supports two partners in Liberia, both of which were present throughout the conflict era, and are now focused on post-conflict rehabilitation, particularly for young people.

section highlights

Learning to live together Don Bosco Homes is a leading child protection NGO in Liberia and work with orphans, ex-combatants and children who live and work on the streets

latest updates elsewhere on www.cafod.org.uk

Fervent hopes built on a fragile peace The election of Africa’s first female president promises a healthier democratic future for conflict-ravaged Liberia, but she has a hard job ahead in winning the people over.

The politics of keeping the peace In Liberia, a peace deal struck in 2003 has lasted, and a general election is about to go ahead. But fresh outbreaks of violence are a reminder that rebuilding society is a fragile process

The boy soldiers of Liberia These children know nothing but bloodshed and brutality - which is why their families and villages will not have them back now that peace is declared. Olga Craig hears their horrifying stories