Liberia’'s Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme –– A New Model of Shared Sovereignty?

Abstract

Relying on the example of the Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme for Liberia (GEMAP) this article analyses whether and under which conditions a shared sovereignty arrangement can serve as a veritable tool of international involvement to create a sustainable (socio)economic development in a state emerging from conflict. The article outlines milestones and obstacles of the Liberian peace process and economic transformation after the signing of the Accra Peace Agreement in 2003. Focusing on (socio)economic and fiscal problems as a threat to the peace process the article analyses the GEMAP Agreement of 2005 which was negotiated between the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) and international donor organisations. The paper argues that GEMAP is an example of a far-reaching shared sovereignty arrangement that could serve as a (role)model for future co-operations between external donors and post-conflict countries. Furthermore, the article concludes that the continued endorsement of the Accra Peace Agreement and GEMAP by the United Nations Security Council can be considered as a supporting legitimization of the shared sovereignty arrangement. The conclusion and outlook reflect GEMAP’’s potential role as a playbook for future shared sovereignty arrangements and the continuing need to carefully balance national sovereignty and international involvement in post-conflict situations.

Keywords: Liberia, resources, resource curse, development, donors, civil war, peace building, transitional law, peace agreement, United Nations, Security Council