VOLUME 34 2009 Number 1 LIBERIAN STUDIES JOURNAL Nation of Nation of Counties of SIERRA -8°N LEONE Liberia Nation of IVORY COAST -6°N Atlantic Ocean N 0 50 Miles bo ow l Published by THE LIBERIAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION, INC. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Cover page was compiled by Dr. William B. Kory, with cartography work by Joe Sernall at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnston- - Geography Department. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor LIBERIAN STUDIES JOURNAL Editorial Policy The Liberian Studies Journal is dedicated to the publication of original research on social, political, economic, scientific, and other issues about Liberia or with implications for Liberia. Opinions of contributors to the Journal do not necessarily reflect the policy of the organiza- tions they represent or the Liberian Studies Association, publisher of the Journal. Manuscript Requirements Manuscripts submitted for publication should not exceed 25 typewritten, double-spaced pages, with margins of one-and a-half inches. The page limit includes graphs, references, tables and appendices. Authors may, in addition to their manuscripts, submit a computer disk of their work preferably in MS Word 2007 or WordPerfect 8.0 (or higher) for Windows. Notes and references should be placed at the end of the text with headings. Notes, if any, should precede the references. The Journal is published in June and December. The deadline for the first issue is February 28, and for the second, August 31. Manuscripts should include a cover page that provides the title of the text, author's name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and affiliation. Anonymous referees will review all works. Manuscripts are accepted in English and French. Manuscripts must conform to the editorial style of either the Chicago Manual of Style (CMA), The American Psychological Association (APA), or Modern Language Associa- tion (MLA). Authors should send their manuscripts for consideration by regular mail or e-mail attach- ments to: James S. Guseh, Editor Liberian Studies Journal North Carolina Central University 1801 Fayetteville Street Durham, North Carolina 27707 Email: [email protected] Phone: 919-530-5201 All Book Reviews should be mailed to: Emmanuel 0. Oritsejafor, Co-Editor Liberian Studies Journal North Carolina Central University Durham, North Carolina 27707 Email: [email protected] Phone: 919-530-7589 Indexing and Abstracting: The Liberian Studies Journal is indexed and/or abstracted by America: History and Life (1970-); Bibliographic Index (Jan. 1990-); Current Abstracts (Jun. 2009); Historical Abstracts (1970-); International Bibliographies of the Social Sci- ences International Political Science Abstracts; Linguistic Bibliography; MLA Interna- tional Bibliography (Modern Language Association of America); RILM Abstracts of Music Literature (Repertoire International de Littermate (Musicale) (1973-). Ebsco Index (2009). PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor VOLUME 34 2009 Number 1 LIBERIAN STUDIES JOURNAL Editor James S. Guseh North Carolina Central University Associate Editor Emmanuel 0. Oritsejafor North Carolina Central University Book Review Editor Emmanuel 0. Oritsejafor North Carolina Central University Editorial Assistant Monica C. Tsotetsi North Carolina Central University EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: William C. Allen, Virginia State University Warren d' Azevedo, University of Nevada Alpha M. Bah, College of Charleston Lawrence Breitborde, Knox College Christopher Clapham, Lancaster University D. Elwood Dunn, Sewanee-The University of the South Yekutiel Gershoni, Tel Aviv University Thomas Hayden, Society of African Missions Svend E. Holsoe, University of Delaware Sylvia Jacobs, North Carolina Central University James N. J. Kollie, Sr., University of Liberia Coroann Olcorodudu, Rowan College of N. J. Romeo E. Philips, Kalamazoo College Momo K. Rogers, Kpazolu Media Enterprises Henrique F. Tokpa, Cuttington University College LIBERIAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Alpha M. Bah, College of Charleston, President Mary Moran, Colgate University, Secretary-Treasurer James S. Guseh, North Carolina Central University, Parliamentarian Yekutiel Gershoni, Tel Aviv University, Past President Timothy A. Rainey, Johns Hopkins University Joseph Holloway, California State University-Northridge FORMER EDITORS Amos J. Beyan Al-Hassan Conteh C. William Allen Edward J. Biggane Edited at North Carolina Central University Department of Public Administration and the Office of International Affairs The Editors and Advisory Board gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the Department of Public Administration and the Office of International Affairs at North Carolina Central University. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor CONTENTS "SOCIAL DIMENSION OF LARGE-SCALE LAND ACQUISITION RIGHTS IN LIBERIA (1900-2009): CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR TRADITIONAL SETTLERS Jeffrey S. Makain & Rev. Momoh S. Foh 1 MICROFINANCE IN POST-CONFLICT LIBERIA: IMPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES Samuel Wai Johnson, Jr. 41 BEYOND ETHNICITY: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF LIBERIA'S CIVIL WARS George Klay Kieh, Jr. 63 LESSON FROM LIBERIA'S 2005 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: WHAT WORKED AND WHAT NEEDS TO WORK IN THE NEXT ELECTION Christopher M. Kimaru 90 BOOK REVIEWS 109 NEWS AND NOTES 114 DOCUMENTS: TROUBLED BOUNDARIES, IN LIBERIA's PAST, AND SUGGESTIONS TOWARD RESOLUTION 116 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor 1 Social Dimensions of Large-Scale Land Acquisition Rights in Liberia (1900-2009): Challenges and Prospects for Traditional Settlers Jeffrey S. Makain* and Rev. Momoh S. Foh** Abstract: As concerns and tensions breed for land ownership rights, tenure systems and acquisition of large-scale land rights for in- vestors by the Liberian Government, there is growing awareness being created among the public in post war Liberia about how land has been acquired over the years and the strength of its legitimacy. The research examined the impacts of large-scale land rights acquired by investors for production of agricultural commodities, forest or provision of environmental amenities (excluding mining). The researchers purposively selected two existing large con- cessions and adopted the case study method. The participatory rural appraisal methods was employed (key informant interviews; focus group discussion, community fora) and desk review for the array of qualitative and quantitative data obtained. * Jeffrey S. Makain is Associate Professor/Dean of the College of Agriculture and Integrated De- velopment Studies at Cuttington University. ** Rev. Momoh S. Foh is a lecturer at the College of Agriculture and Integrated Development Studies at Cuttington University. The authors wish to express profound gratitude to God Almighty for His Wisdom, protection and guidance throughout this work; the World Bank for partial sponsorship of this research; Making Enterprises Inc. and staff for their valuable contributions and Professor Joseph S. Guannu for valuable information shared and review of the paper. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor 2 ACQUISITION RIGHTS IN LIBERIA (1900-2009) Findings from the research revealed that traditional settlers cannot effectively protect themselves when there are conflicts over land rights because the Government has eminent domain over all lands; traditional settlers are not consulted during policy formula- tion for investors; traditional leaders represent the interest of com- munities but, are indifferent when investors enter their communities to begin implementation without their participation in the initial processes of investment program or project planning. The research concludes that there exist considerable levels of vulnerability; high potential for displacement of large number of communities and population as concessions expand their opera- tional areas. Apparently, the Government is reluctant to address and resolve disputes and conflicts over land rights especially when large-scale investors are involved. Key Terms: Social dimensions; Land rights; Vulnerability; Displacement; Livelihood; Traditional Settlers; Americo-Liberians; challenges; prospects 1.0 Introduction: As concerns and tensions breed for property rights, land own- ership, tenure system, as well as government levying property taxes to raise revenue, continue to claim public attention, there is growing awareness being created among the public for ownership rights. This public concern is highly associated with how property has been acquired over the years and the strength of its legitimacy. Major concerns emanating from the current awareness cre- ation is centered on acquisition of use or ownership rights to large areas of land for production of agricultural commodities, forest, or provision of environmental amenities (excluding mining), and the associated volatile global commodities prices, politically motivated demand for bio-fuels, population growth and urbanization. The Liberia Civil Society Organizations (LCSO) had this to say about these concerns 'we are tired of rhetoric; there is urgent PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation