Liberia and Sierra Leone - dead ringers? The logic of neopatrimonial rule

There are many different causes behind the two civil wars in Liberia and Si erra Leone. Some are clearly unique to each country, whereas some of the mo st significant causes of war are shared in both cases. This article argues that the most basic reasons for these two wars are to be found in the extre me version of neopatrimonial politics that was developed in Liberia and Sie rra Leone. Neopatrimonialism is not unique to these two countries, nor to A frica. However, the historical experience of the two countries suggests tha t Liberia and Sierra Leone developed an extreme version of neopatrimonial p olitics built on the need to secure the self through self-categorisation in to self and other. The article therefore suggests that the historical legac y of these interlinkages is so substantial that the fates of Liberia and Si erra Leone are locked together like a pair of dead ringers. Neither country is likely to achieve sustainable peace if warlike conditions still exist i n the other country.