Millions at Risk in Africa's Most Dangerous Wars

Conflicts in Liberia, Congo spark calls for intervention Sunday, June 15, 2003 DAKAR, Senegal — Africa’s two most dangerous conflicts, in Liberia and in Congo, have reached turning points, with nations and tens of millions of lives hanging in the balance. In Liberia, President Charles Taylor — newly indicted by a U.N. war-crimes tribunal — threatens to take much of West Africa down with him if rebels achieve their goal of toppling him. In Congo, the struggle over lodes of diamonds, gold and other resources is blocking efforts to end a war that has killed up to 9 percent of the vast Central African nation’s population. Refugee George Williams called on the international community, “especially America,” to help. “Someone’s got to do something to stop this foolish war here,” Williams said last week as he fled Liberia’s besieged capital, Monrovia. A government comptroller, Williams cradled a wounded 13-year-old daughter deliberately shot by Taylor’s looting troops. “Otherwise, it’s going to be completely destroyed,” he said. The conflict is not confined to West and Central Africa. Full Story