ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a background to the events, causes and consequences of the protracted conflict in Liberia and the UN police (UNPOL) mission deployed by the UN in response. It presents a brief background to Liberia's genesis including the political, economic and social development that occurred between formation and the outbreak of civil war. Fourteen years of almost continuous civil conflict exacted a tremendous toll on Liberia politically, economically and socially, leaving Liberia in 'a state of decrepitude'. In terms of governance, by the end of Charles Taylor's rule, the Liberian state was akin to a criminal enterprise. The deployment of UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) helped to restore relative calm to the country. UNMIL efforts to assist in building sustainable rule of law have focused almost exclusively on the machinery of the state, in particular reconstituting the Liberian National Police (LNP).
