Liberia goes for poll after 12 years

CAIRO, July 19: After seven-years of civil war and 13 shattered peace accords, Liberia went to polls, its first since 1985, with a warlord and a Harvard educated former United Naitons official vying for the top post along with 11 others.

More than 200,000 people have been killed in the seven years of civil war that has torn this West African country apart leaving it in shambles with thousands homeless and forcing thousands other to cross over to neighbouring countries as refugees.

At centrestage of the country’s political scenario is warlord Charles Taylor and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Africa director for the UNDP. Both have vowed to rebuild the economy and maintain peace. If Johnson Sirleaf wins today’s polls, she will be Africa’s first woman president.