The political participation of the U.S.-based Liberian Diaspora and its implication for peace building

The political participation of the U.S.-based Liberian Diaspora represents an archetypical case in the debate about the role of the Diaspora as conflict drivers and peacemakers. This is because the U.S.-based Diaspora supported armed rebellion against the Doe and Taylor regimes. However, the postwar democratic transition in Liberia has offered the U.S.-based Liberian Diaspora the space to be active political participants-which has serious implications for peace building. The political participation of the U.S.-based Diaspora does not guarantee a benign outcome; nevertheless, noncontentious political activities aimed at lobbying host-country support for peace building, building rational legal institutions, and financially supporting moderate political parties instead of belligerent homeland forces bode well for peace building. In contrast, contentious politics that pitch Diaspora Liberians against home-based Liberians over the issue of dual nationality, perceived Diaspora dominance in public office, and Diaspora corruption are counterproductive to peace building.