Liberia officially disbands fighting factions in shadow of capital riots

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2004

MONROVIA (AFP) — Liberia dismantled its warring factions to close the book on 14 years of war against the backdrop of new violence in the capital and amid concerns that promises to rehabilitate ex-combattants have yet to be fulfilled.

"We have dismantled a critical component of the war machine but it will be meaningless unless we create opportunities," said Moses Jarbo, the chairman of the national disarmament commission.

"A lack of psycho-social assistance to the ex-combatants will create a haven for those looking to recruit criminal elements."

Since the disarmament program resumed in April after a disastrous launch last December by the UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL), more than 96,000 men, women and children have enrolled, handing in some 27,000 weapons and...