Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Liberia Focuses on Peace with Continent’s Smallest Army
Liberia, a West African nation that endured a brutal civil conflict ending in 2003, currently possesses the smallest military force across the African continent as it navigates a course towards sustained peace and stability. Established in 1816 by the American Colonization Society (ACS), Liberia stands as one of the few African countries never subjected to colonial conquest. The ACS founded the colony with the aim of creating a territory suitable for the repatriation of freed slaves from the United States.
Historical Context: From Civil War to Democratic Transition
A military coup in 1980 instigated a period leading to two devastating civil wars, marked by the widespread conscription of child soldiers, presidential executions, and a death toll exceeding 250,000. A peace agreement in 2003 initiated efforts to halt the bloodshed, as the war-torn nation embarked on establishing security and fostering democracy. This democratic progression culminated in a peaceful transfer of power in 2017 when George Weah, former football icon and the sole African recipient of the prestigious Ballon D’Or, assumed the presidency following credible and transparent elections.
Minimal Military Presence
Despite experiencing two decades of relative tranquility, Liberia maintains the continent’s smallest army, with a mere 1,500 personnel serving in a country larger in area than Bulgaria.
International collaborations bolster the nation’s border security, with neighboring states keenly aware of the importance of domestic peace in Liberia to prevent regional instability.
Following years of internal strife, Liberia’s primary objective remains national reconstruction and solidifying stability after decades of conflict.
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Safety and Stability
Government advisories indicate that “Liberia is generally politically stable, however, protests and demonstrations can occasionally occur. It is advised to avoid protests, demonstrations, political gatherings, and large crowds. Adhere to guidance from local authorities.”
African Armies Compared
The size of Liberia’s army is notably small, approximately three times less than Benin’s, which fields the second smallest African army with 4,750 soldiers.
Gabon possesses the third smallest army on the continent, with approximately 4,800 personnel. The Republic of Congo, also having experienced civil conflict, has the fourth smallest army, with around 8,500 active military members.
Rounding out the top five smallest armies in Africa is the Central African Republic, with a modest 10,000 full-time soldiers. This limited military capacity necessitates reliance on international military assistance and United Nations peacekeeping operations to address internal security risks and safeguard its frontiers.