UN Security Council To Extend Liberia Sanctions

Citing “strong concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation” in Liberia and its effects on the West African sub-region, the Security Council expressed its intention to renew the sanctions for another 12 months, adding, “Council members regretted that the Government of Liberia had not fully complied with the Council’s demands”.

The Council's President, Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan, announced the intention to extend the measures following a six-month review of the situation in Liberia. The Council also heard the report of its expert panel, which had just retuned from West Africa on a follow-up investigation of Liberia's compliance with the sanctions.

“A comprehensive new approach by the Security Council to the situation in all of West Africa is required," states the report, which paints a picture of violence fuelled by illegal arms and gem trading, in which even Liberian President Charles Taylor admits to violating the arms embargo and banditry and lawlessness have become a way of life among the regions' youth.

“Council members regretted that the Government of Liberia had not fully complied with the Council's demands in resolution 1343,” Akram said.

The panel’s report questions the power of limiting the sanctions to Liberia alone. The basis for the imposition of the sanctions against Liberia needs to be reassessed because violence and conflict are spreading across the region and are generated not only by Liberian forces," the report concludes.