Gallery: Liberia

Liberia: Bloody summer in 2003 

Since 1989, Liberia in West Africa had suffered one of the most tragedies for the past five decades. Nearly a quarter million of people were been killed due to the war, and most of its populace were been displaced. Finally, the international community paid its attention to the small country—the population was approximately three millions—when the fighting between the government and the rebels escalated again in the summer of 2003. However, the world attributed the responsibility just nearly to Charles Taylor, its former president, alone. Despite the US’s suggestion of sending the international forces, including the US troops, the practical military deployment was very delayed. Until the arrival in early August, the atrocities of killing, looting, and rape continued. Now Taylor is facing the charge of war crime at the international court, after his exile to Nigeria and then his arrest. But the real lasting peace has not come to Liberia yet.