Serving On Mission
Liberia
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Capital: Monrovia
Population: 3,334,587 (July 2008 est.)
Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendents of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE’s regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE himself was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone’s civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) maintains a strong presence throughout the country, but the security situation is still fragile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country will take many years.
UNMIL Mandate – Resolution 1509
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established by Security Council resolution 1509 (2003) of 19 September 2003 with the following mandate:
Support for Implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement
1. To observe and monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and investigate violations of the ceasefire;
2. To establish and maintain continuous liaison with the field headquarters of all the parties’ military forces;
3. To assist in the development of cantonment sites and to provide security at these sites;
3. To observe and monitor disengagement and cantonment of military forces of all the parties;
4. To support the work of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC);
5. To develop, as soon as possible, preferably within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution, in cooperation with the JMC, relevant international financial institutions, international development organizations, and donor nations, an action plan for the overall implementation of a disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation (DDRR) programme for all armed parties; with particular attention to the special needs of child combatants and women; and addressing the inclusion of non-Liberian combatants;
6. To carry out voluntary disarmament and to collect and destroy weapons and ammunition as part of an organized DDRR programme;
7. To liase with the JMC and to advise on the implementation of its functions under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the ceasefire agreement;
8. To provide security at key government installations, in particular ports, airports, and other vital infrastructure;
Protection of United Nations Staff, Facilities and Civilians
1. To protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of its personnel and, without prejudice to the efforts of the government, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, within its capabilities;
Support for Humanitarian and Human Rights Assistance
1. To facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance, including by helping to establish the necessary security conditions;
2. To contribute towards international efforts to protect and promote human rights in Liberia, with particular attention to vulnerable groups including refugees, returning refugees and internally displaced persons, women, children, and demobilized child soldiers, within UNMIL’s capabilities and under acceptable security conditions, in close cooperation with other United Nations agencies, related organizations, governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations;
3. To ensure an adequate human rights presence, capacity and expertise within UNMIL to carry out human rights promotion, protection, and monitoring activities;
Support for Security Reform
1. To assist the transitional government of Liberia in monitoring and restructuring the police force of Liberia, consistent with democratic policing, to develop a civilian police training programme, and to otherwise assist in the training of civilian police, in cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), international organizations, and interested States;
2. To assist the transitional government in the formation of a new and restructured Liberian military in cooperation with ECOWAS, international organizations and interested States;
Support for Implementation of the Peace Process
1. To assist the transitional Government, in conjunction with ECOWAS and other international partners, in reestablishment of national authority throughout the country, including the establishment of a functioning administrative structure at both the national and local levels;
2. To assist the transitional government in conjunction with ECOWAS and other international partners in developing a strategy to consolidate governmental institutions, including a national legal framework and judicial and correctional institutions;
3. To assist the transitional government in restoring proper administration of natural resources;
4. To assist the transitional government, in conjunction with ECOWAS and other international partners, in preparing for national elections scheduled for no later than the end of 2005.
Contacting UNMIL
Postal Addresses:
UNMIL Headquarters
Pan African Plaza
Tubman Boulevard, 1st Street
Monrovia, Liberia
or
UNMIL
Via U.N. Diplomatic Mail & Pouch Service
P.O. Box 4677
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-4677
Tel.: +231 (5) 314000 / +1 (212) 963-9925
Fax: +1 (212) 963-9924
