Movement for Democracy in Liberia - Definition and Overview

The Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) is a rebel group in Liberia that has been active since early 2003. It achieved rapid successes in its war against President Charles Taylor and is believed to have been created by the Côte d'Ivoire government as a way of staking a claim in Liberian politics during the turmoil of that country's civil war, or as retaliation for the Liberian government's alleged support for rebels in the Ivory Coast. Its leader, Thomas Nimely, was named as Liberia's foreign minister in the transitional government that was appointed on October 14, 2003, following the resignation and exile of Taylor. MODEL has been accused of violating UN sanctions by exporting timber from the regions of southern Liberia that it controls. The group has promised to disarm as part of the country's 2003 peace agreement.