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Liberia: At U.N. Security Council, Ellen Makes Case for Lifting of Liberia’s Sanctions
Mar 17, 2006
by Rodney D. Sieh / Contributing Writer

Liberian President briefs security council on situation in the country Photo by: Devra Berkowitz

New York-Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf today outlined before the United Nations Security Council efforts her country is making that she hopes will pave the way for the lifting of sanctions against Liberia.

The Security Council met today to consider the situation in Liberia and to hear a statement by that country’s President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

A U.N. statement issued today said Sirleaf described her presence before the world body as a recognition of the critical role played by the United Nations in restoring her country to its rightful place in the comity of peaceful nations, paid solemn tribute to the Organization and expressed her deepest gratitude to the families of the peacekeepers who had made the ultimate sacrifice on Liberia’s behalf.

In providing support, through its resolutions and statements, during the Liberian crisis, and in defining the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the Security Council had earned itself a laudable place in the country’s history, she said. The activities of the United Nations in Liberia over the years had endeared the Organization to Liberians. The deepest appreciation was also due for the international community, beginning with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union and the European Commission, as well as Liberia’s traditional friends, such as the United States and countries that were providing troops and police for the smooth running of UNMIL.

Making the Case

The Security Council imposed arms and diamond embargoes on Liberia in May 2001 to stop government revenues from those industries from being used to fuel conflict. At the same time it imposed a travel ban on Liberians in former President Charles Taylor's government who helped rebels in Sierra Leone. A ban on the timber trade took effect in July 2003. The resolution extended the diamond and timber sanctions for six months. It extended the arms embargo and travel ban for a year.

On Friday, Sirleaf said that her inauguration on 16 January as the democratically elected President of Liberia had opened up many possibilities, which portended a brighter chapter in the country’s history. However, Liberians realized that formidable challenges lay ahead as the country set about consolidating its hard-won peace. With the assistance of the United Nations and other partners, Liberia was determined to complete the reintegration of its war-affected refugees, internally displaced persons and ex-combatants, as well as to begin to address the most basic needs of Liberians.

In order to meet those challenges, she said, Liberia had elaborated a phased plan of action that defined the immediate priorities for the first 150 days of her administration, as a prelude to a national strategy that would take the country forward over the medium term. Liberia’s strategy for peace building was constructed on four core pillars, focusing on security, the rule of law and governance, economic revitalization and basic services and infrastructure. To spearhead and coordinate that effort, she had established the Liberia Reconstruction and Development Committee, which she would lead personally. Its major partners, including the United Nations, would be fully involved in that body’s workings.

She said it was imperative to provide tangible assurances to the people of Liberia that democracy would bring change for the better. They must see early improvements in health, education and economic opportunity, starting with jobs. She would need the support of the United Nations and the international community to make the changes necessary to achieve those important national goals. Liberia, for its part, committed itself to continued collaboration with its international partners in the implementation of the Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme. At the same time, she intended to ensure the implementation of a capacity-building programme that would enhance Liberian ownership of the Programme, as well as help to transfer critical skills to Liberians, to strengthen national capacity on a long-term basis.

At the moment, the Government was putting in place, mechanisms that would enhance transparency in governance, consistent with the requirements for the lifting of timber and diamond sanctions, she said. As a first measure, she had rendered null and void forestry concessions, as recommended by the Forest Concessions Review Committee. Most of the requirements for implementing the Kimberly Process were being met by the Government, and she hoped that would lead to an early lifting of the ban on diamond export. New measures had been enacted to enhance national revenue flows, so that Liberia could depend more on itself in the process of national reconstruction and development.

The Government, she continued, had also extended the life of the Governance Reform Commission and expanded its mandate to, among other things; spearhead the formulation of a vigorous anti-corruption action plan, as well as to lead in the implementation of a code of conduct governing the behavior of officials of the three branches of Government. She had already mandated that all ministers must make a public declaration of personal assets.

She was aware that Liberia as a nation must confront the legacy of the past, to enable it to go forward in the future, she said. The conflict touched virtually every family and every individual in the land. Liberia was determined to address issues from its painful past, including the question of impunity, as well as the imperatives of national reconciliation, so that the country could move ahead. For that reason, it had established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as mandated by the Accra Peace Agreement. It had also reconstituted its Supreme Court to start the long-needed reform of the judiciary branch of the Government.

On Charles Taylor

An issue of major concern to Liberia’s people and the nations of the sub region, she stated, had to do with the case of former President Charles Taylor, who was presently in exile in Nigeria. She had asked the President of Nigeria to consult with colleagues in the sub region and the international community on the resolution of that issue, in conformity with the requirements of the United Nations and the international community. She had also asked that any proceedings be undertaken in an environment that protected fundamental human rights.

In rising to all those challenges, she would continue to count on the unstinting assistance of the United Nations and the international community. Liberia was still a fragile State. Its armed forces were being reconstituted, and the restructuring of the police service was not yet completed. In view of those realities, she urged the Council to maintain its support for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). “We must consolidate the gains achieved during the transition of the last two years, so that the enormous investment made by the international community in the peace and stability of Liberia and the region is not put at risk.”

Plea for Aid

She also sought the urgent contribution of donor countries and organizations for Liberia’s recovery and development agenda, including debt relief. Many countries had already contributed significantly, especially in the areas of humanitarian aid and security sector reform. “If we are to achieve the sustainable development of Liberia that will guarantee continued peace and stability, it is important that we accelerate the transition from humanitarian to development assistance, so that we can tackle the fundamental problem of reducing poverty,” she concluded.

Council member, Nana Effah-Apenteng of Ghana said Liberia had come a long way in the quest for peace, and its people must be commended for their resolve in staying the course. That resolve had been demonstrated clearly in the successful completion of the two-year transition process, as set out under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement drawn up in Accra. In the new climate of hope, expectations were high, not least among the most vulnerable segments of the population, who continued to bear the brunt of the acute humanitarian and socio-economic crisis of a war-shattered economy.

Liberia’s come a long way

Liberia was starting from scratch on many fronts, he said. The country’s security situation remained fragile, not to mention the other serious challenges, particularly the urgent need for consolidation of State authority and the firm establishment of the rule of law and good governance throughout the country. While recognizing that Liberia’s Government and people bore the primary responsibility for reconstruction and development, the magnitude and complexity of the challenge facing Liberia called for the continued support and cooperation of the international community and the United Nations system as a whole, especially during the present critical period of transition from war to peace. That would enable the leaders to build on the gains made so far, and to stimulate the rapid economic growth that was vital for sound nation building.

Stressing that UNMIL was expected to contribute immensely towards that end, and its continued presence in the country was necessary, at least for the foreseeable future, he said that, as Africa’s first female Head of State, history had thrust upon the President, the additional burden of being a trailblazer for Africa’s numerous women and girls in their quest for empowerment through active and meaningful participation in national politics, including leadership roles. Ghana would continue to use its tenure in the Security Council, as well as its membership of ECOWAS and the African Union, to support the implementation and attainment of the President’s laudable vision.

Sanctions Still in Play

Last December, the Security Council renewed its ban on Liberian timber and diamond exports as well as an arms embargo during Taylor's final years in office after accusing him of fueling conflict in the region through an illicit trade in arms for diamonds and other natural resources.

The U.N. sanctions remain in place because U.N. experts advised the council at the time that the Liberian authorities had not yet been able to ensure that the resources will be used solely for the benefit of the Liberian people.
?The voted unanimously to maintain diamond and timber sanctions against Liberia but said it will lift the embargoes when the country's new government ends illicit trade in its valuable resources.

The resolution adopted by the council underlined "its determination to support the new government of Liberia in its efforts to meet those conditions" and encouraged international donors to do likewise.

Taylor fled into exile in August 2003, paving the way for a transitional government, which will hand over power to Johnson-Sirleaf on Jan. 16. She will become the first elected female head of an African nation. The council welcomed the assistance provided by the 15,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force in Liberia in re-establishing the government's authority throughout the country.

About the Author:
Rodney D. Sieh is the Chief Editor of FrontPageAfrica.com. Mr. Sieh serves as contributing writer to TheLiberianTimes.com

Rodney D. Sieh may be contacted at rsieh@FrontPageAfrica.com.