Liberia: Whether the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) used mercenaries in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and if so, from which countries
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBR30401.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Liberia: Whether the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) used mercenaries in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and if so, from which countries, 1 November 1998, LBR30401.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2723.html [accessed 17 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A 15-21 June 1992 West Africa report states that the NPLF got most of its weaponry from Libya, and that before the war started, its forces were trained in Libya and Burkina Faso. An earlier issue of the same magazine, stated that at the beginning of the crisis, the President Campaoré of Burkina Faso had allegedly sent 400 soldiers to fight alongside the NPLFL claiming that "it was a moral duty to save Liberians from the wrath of a ruthless dictator, Samuel Doe" (4-10 May 1992). Reports on whether the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) initially employed mercenaries could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
West Africa [London]. 15-21 June 1992. John Momoh. "Liberia: Why Talks Deadlocked."
_____. 4-10 May 1992. Barki Gbanabome. "Burkina Faso: Campaoré Defends His Role in the Liberian Crisis."
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential [London]. January 1990 - December 1992. Weekly. Vols. 31-33. Nos. 1-25.
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. January 1990- December 1992. Monthly. Vols. 26-28.
BBC Focus on Africa. October-November 1997. "Chosen by God?
_____. July-September 1996. "Monrovia's Grave."
Country Reports for Human Rights Practices 1990-1992.1991-1993. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Press.
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). November 1993. "Liberia: Disintegration of the Liberian Nation Since the 1989 Civil War." (AL/LBR/94.001]. Washington, DC: INS Resource Information Centre.
News from Africa Watch. June 1993.Vol. 5. No. 6. "Liberia: Waging War to Keep the Peace: The ECOMOG Intervention and Human Rights."
_____. 21 October 1991. "Liberia: The Cycle of Abuse: Human Rights Violations Since the November Cease-Fire."
IRB: Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, World News Connection (WNC).
One oral source consulted did not provide the requested information.
