On Monday, August 11th Liberian president Charles Taylor handed over power to his chosen successor and vice president Moses Blah. This came fourteen years after a coup de tat, which put the country in his control and triggered a bloody civil war.

Although this event may seem isolated and obscure to most Americans, Liberia has had a unique relationship with the United States since the 1800�s when freed African American slaves relocated to the country and established themselves as the upper-class dominant minority. The government they conducted can be compared to the South African system of apartheid, with those of American descent controlling almost all aspects of Liberian life.

Just as South African apartheid crumbled, Liberian history is riddled with multiple attempts (some of which were successful) to overthrow the strong grasp of �Americo-Liberians,� as the resettlers were later coined. Until this day they continue to dominate most of Liberian government.

Naturally, these constant revolts have created a strong sense of insecurity and turmoil among the Liberian people, over one third of which are homeless and coping daily with severe lack of food and almost no medical treatment.

The man behind the massacre, Charles Taylor, has been called everything from a frustrated showman to a political bully.

This is a man who on occasion has compared himself to Jesus Christ. He believes that he is misunderstood by the world and underappreciated for his contribution to Liberian history.

A descendant of Americo-Liberians, Taylor was educated in the United States. He returned to his country in the seventies to assist then military leader Samuel Doe in carrying out a government coup. In the 80�s, he was accused by then head of government Doe of embezzling over $1 million and fled to the US where he was eventually imprisoned in a correctional facility. Somehow, he managed to escape and overthrow the regime of Samuel Doe, which was overall corrupt, violent, and generally disastrous.

In 1999, he was accused by the United Nations of gun running and diamond smuggling. He responded to this by addressing a mass prayer meeting clothed from head to foot in angelic white. He knelt down on his hands and knees begging G-d for forgiveness while simultaneously denying the charges. The UN has never convicted Taylor for these crimes.

Although Taylor�s presence as leader of Liberia was the main cause of civil unrest in his country, he was more than hesitant in relinquishing power and waited until he was guaranteed political asylum in Nigeria before vacating Liberia.

Taylor�s successor Moses Blah has invited the rebel forces known as Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, or LURD, to �join me to run this government.� He claims to have no interest in becoming president.

At the time that this article was written two hundred US Marine Corps troops were stationed in Liberia, primarily in the capital city of Monrovia. As troops arrived, Liberian residents heaved a collective sigh. They are finally feeling the security that they have been deprived of for the past two decades.

A plan is currently taking shape to turn over control of this war-ravaged country to a United Nations trusteeship, which would function somewhat like a world government. This system would be backed by American dollars and militarily supported by all nations willing to commit.

Liberia is considered by most to be a failed nation, but with the help of the UN and foreign soldiers recruited from all around the world, there is certainly hope for stability in this country�s future.

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