Reforming Liberia's Forestry Sector

Abstract

This article highlights the links between natural resource exploitation, corruption, and human rights abuses in conflict and immediate post-conflict situations in the context of Liberia. After contextualising the conflict in Liberia, the author, Silas Siakor, describes how human rights abuses in the Liberian forestry sector occurred in various forms. Militia commanders committed human rights abuses, supported by international logging companies whose senior executives facilitated the procurement and transfer of weapons and military materials. In addition, the logging companies made payments to individuals involved in training militia groups. The author then examines how Liberian civil society, working closely with their international counterparts, have championed reforms in the forestry sector as a strategic approach to curtailing human rights abuses and securing rights for those living in poverty. He describes how, in the decade since the civil war ended, reforms in the sector have led to increased civil society access to logging areas to monitor the conduct of companies, and how once deprived communities now share revenue from logging with central government. The government has also formally recognised certain community rights with respect to the forestry sector. He concludes by noting that despite the progressive legislation in place, some key reform measures have not been fully implemented and argues that the eventual success of these will rely on pressure from the international community.