The ECOWAS Monitoring Group began its operation in

Analyze the question: The question asks where ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) first began operating.

Explain the concept: ECOMOG was the military arm set up by ECOWAS in 1990 to restore peace in member states hit by civil conflict. It was a peacekeeping and peace-enforcement force, made up mostly of troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, with Nigeria contributing the largest share.

Step-by-step solution:

1. In December 1989, civil war broke out in Liberia when Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) rebelled against President Samuel Doe.
2. The fighting caused massive loss of life and a refugee crisis across West Africa.
3. In August 1990, ECOWAS created ECOMOG and deployed it to Liberia to enforce a ceasefire, protect civilians and restore order.
4. ECOMOG later intervened in Sierra Leone (1997-98) and Guinea-Bissau (1998-99). These came after Liberia, so they were not its first operation.

Checking the options:

• A. Sierra Leone: a later intervention, not the first.
• B. Guinea: contributed troops but was not the first theatre of operation.
• C. Gambia: contributed troops, no initial operation there.
• D. Liberia: the first and most famous ECOMOG mission (1990).

The correct answer is **D.

Exam tip: Remember the order Liberia (1990) → Sierra Leone (1997) → Guinea-Bissau (1998). Whenever a question asks where ECOMOG began, think "Liberia first." Also remember that Nigeria led the force and bore most of the cost.