D.K. Osei
From the early days of my career, I somehow got drawn into the
negotiations to end the Liberian crisis. This crisis lasted many years
(1989-2003) and many conferences were held to end it. I attended
several of them in Banjul, Bamako, Yamoussoukro, Akosombo, and
Accra. However, there are many dramatic stories which the general
public may be unfamiliar with. I intend therefore to recount some of
those events for the general public to appreciate aspects of diplomatic
work which can be quite dangerous.
This article recounts the dramatic events which took place in Monrovia on the day that President Charles Taylor was shepherded out of Monrovia into exile. It describes the extreme tension in the Liberian Capital and what could easily have degenerated into a major security crises in the presence of several African Heads of States.