The First Liberian Civil War and Its Impact on the Nation

The First Liberian Civil War, which lasted from 1989 to 1996, was a significant conflict that arose from the oppressive regime of Samuel Doe. In the late 1980s, Doe's government faced increasing opposition both domestically and internationally, leading to a severe economic collapse in Liberia. Following a failed coup attempt in November 1985, Doe intensified his repression of dissent, particularly targeting the Gio and Mano tribes in the northern regions of the country. This retaliation was marked by brutal attacks from Doe's Krahn tribe against other ethnic groups, especially in Nimba County, which borders Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea. The violence forced many Liberians, particularly from the north, to flee into neighboring countries to escape the atrocities committed by the Liberian army. This period of intense tribal conflict and retaliation set the stage for the outbreak of the First Liberian Civil War, a devastating conflict that would have lasting impacts on the nation and its people.