After 14 years of intermittent civil war ended in 2003, Liberia has struggled to achieve food security, provide economic opportunity and empower youth.
i. Food Security
Although rice production has doubled from 85,000 metric tonnes in 2005 to 144,000 metric tonnes in 2007, Liberia still imports 40% of the rice consumed domestically.[1] Fortunately, fertile lowlands represent 1/5 of the land in Liberia and several hundred thousand unemployed and under-employed Liberians are capable of cultivating this land.[2] Monrovia is the largest market for rice in Liberia. Close proximity to the Freeport of Monrovia combined with weak local production mean that the majority of the 72,000 metric tonnes of rice consumed in Monrovia is imported. Around 90% of this rice is grown in the United States and Asia.[3] Despite the influx of imported rice, properly capitalized farming ventures where best practices are introduced and implemented have a decided market advantage over imported foodstuffs.[4] Displacing imported rice represents a 65 million USD annual market for Liberian Farmers. In context of the larger economy, 65 million USD represents approximately 7.2% of the 2009 nominal GDP of Liberia. Domestic rice production could insure food security for Liberia while lifting tens of thousands of farmers out of poverty.
ii. Economic Opportunity
In Liberia, with a nominal per capita income of 239 USD[5] and unemployment rate of 85%[6], abject poverty is the norm. Formal employment figures are particularly abysmal for youth and ex-combatants.[7] The marginalization of youth is a significant risk factor for future conflict. In fact, a 2008 study by the United States Institute of Peace found that Liberian ex-combatants most commonly cited reasons for considering a return to combat were poverty, economic disadvantage and lack of jobs.[8] International recognition of the problem is growing, for example, Ellen Margrethe Loj, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Liberia, recently stated at a UN meeting that, “Massive youth unemployment and current job lay-offs constitute a real security concern … without regular and stable jobs, more Liberians, especially the younger generation could be tempted by the easy money associated with illegal economic activities or potentially by those wanting to recruit for subversive activities once again.” The International Crisis Group agrees, their 2009 report on the subject states that the, “most serious (risk to stability) is probably unemployment“.[9] Clearly, opportunities for gainful employment and economic development are prerequisites for effective mitigation of the youth crisis in Liberia.
iii. Youth Empowerment
The extended period of armed conflict in Liberia from 1989 to 2003 resulted more than a million (roughly 30% of total population) displaced persons (DPs) at the conclusion of hostilities in 2003.[10] The displaced persons, disproportionately women and youth generally fled the rural regions to congregate in urban centers. Despite aggressive international efforts to resettle and repatriate, the 2008 census found the population of the Monrovia metro area remains swollen at just under 1 million people. This figure, representing 30% of Liberia’s population includes a plurality of young people (half the population is under 20), DPs and ex-combatants. Youth often lack access to systems for political redress. Creating platforms for constructive youth and ex-combatant engagement in political processes mitigates the risk of future conflict. When considering that Charles Taylor’s 1989 uprising began with only 100 young fighters[11], the danger of politically and economically marginalized youth with military experience is evident. With over half a million young people, many of them trained fighters, deprived of education and traumatized by 14 years of war, Monrovia is at high risk for future conflict. Effective youth empowerment focused on economic opportunity combined with a platform for political participation would significantly mitigate this risk.
[1] FOA, Focus on lowland farming yields multiple benefits in Liberia http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/44545/icode/ Published: 26/08/10
[2] Ibid.
[3] BBC News, Liberians drop rice for spaghetti, Kate Thomas http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7360649.stm Published: 22/4/08
[4] Visions in Action-USDA-IRDO Swamp Rice Development Program
[5] International Monetary Fund
[7] USAID, Liberia Youth Fragility Assessment
[8] United States Institute of Peace, Would You Fight Again: Understanding Liberian Ex-Combatant Reintegration. Richard Hill, Gwendolyn Taylor and Jonathan Temin. Special Report 211, September 2008
[9] International Crisis Group (ICG), “Liberia: Uneven Progress in Security Sector Reform”, (London: Report No. 148, January 13, 2009), p. 5.
[10] CBC News Indepth: Liberia, Land of the Free 29/03/2006
