Liberia
Aktuelle Einsätze
UNMIL
UN Mission in Liberia (UN-Geführt)
Beginn: 10/03
Link zum Einsatz
Security Council requests panel to assess situation in Liberia (20.06.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) The Security Council today called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to set up a panel of financial and diamond experts to renew investigations of whether UN sanctions against Liberia are being broken after learning of “credible allegations” that the notorious former president Charles Taylor may still have access to considerable wealth. In a unanimous resolution, the Council asked Mr. Ban to establish a panel of up to three members to carry out a follow-up assessment mission in Liberia and neighbouring countries to determine the effectiveness and impact of the measures introduced against Mr. Taylor and others.
Ban Ki-Moon welcomes opening of war crimes trial of Charles Taylor (05.06.2007)
(Quelle: n/a) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed today's start of the war crimes trial of the notorious former Liberian president Charles Taylor, calling it 'a significant move towards peace and reconciliation' in West Africa. The trial adjourned this morning in The Hague after an initial hearing in which the Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) Stephen Rapp and trial attorney Mohamed Bangura presented the charges against Mr. Taylor and gave his opening statement. … Mr. Taylor did not attend but sent a lengthy statement challenging the competence of the SCSL and the charges against him. He also dismissed his SCSL-appointed legal defence team, electing to represent himself when the trial resumes on 12 March.
More than 100,000 refugees return from Sierra Leone (05.06.2007)
(Quelle: Allafrica) A repatriation convoy carrying some 250 Liberians from Sierra Leone is set to bring to over 100,000 the number returning home with United Nations assistance, the world body's refugee agency said today. … Set to close by the end of this month, the effort will mark the largest repatriation in the West Africa region, according to Ms. Pagonis (UNHCR, Anm. d. Red.), who predicted that 'many more Liberians' will return before the cut-off date of 30 June.
SSR gets U.S. $11 million (22.05.2007)
(Quelle: allAfrica) Stakeholders in the Liberian peace process were unanimous in August 2003 that the stability of Liberia is paramount to the reconstruction of the country. They therefore opted for the dissolution, restructuring, and training of the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police (LNP). The process began with a zip and raised hopes; then, it started to crawl to the disappointment of both the Liberian people and some members of the international community.The reason there is what Defense Ministry authorities call 'funding gap', which prevents the contractors of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Programme from completing the training on schedule. Defense Minister Brownie Samukai is in the U.S. addressing this question just as President Bush redirects his focus to the problem facing the SSR Programme.
Taylor's trial starts June 4 (01.05.2007)
(Quelle: allAfrica) Acting Registrar, Herman von Hebel of the United Nations backed Special Court for Sierra Leone last week disclosed to journalists in Monrovia, Liberia that former President Charles Taylor's trial is expected to start on June 4, 2007 in The Hague at the premises of the International Criminal Court (ICC). He stressed that although the premises of the ICC is going to be used, Taylor will remain to be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and that the proceedings will be in conformity with its own proceedings.
TRC accused of mismanagement (27.04.2007)
(Quelle: allAfrica) The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) came under fire from the office of the Secretary General of the United Nations and the European Union assessment team. Both accused the TRC of mismanagement and the lack of basic administrative structure and relevant programming to endear the commission to donors. But the Commission dismissed the allegations as absurd and products of wishful thinking and seems not deterred to press ahead.
Security Council lifts ban on diamond exports from Liberia (27.04.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) The Security Council voted today to lift its six-year-old ban on the export of diamonds from Liberia that was introduced to stop proceeds from the sale of these so-called “blood diamonds” from fuelling wars across West Africa. In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Council agreed that Liberia has made enough progress towards establishing the necessary internal controls to satisfy the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process to justify ending the embargo. But the 15-member body also agreed to review, if necessary, its decision to lift the embargo within 90 days.
Donor fatigue threatening DDR process (20.04.2007)
(Quelle: Irinnews) 'It is very important that the 23,000 ex-combatants based on the data available to the commission should be trained. If this is not done, it will pose a very high security risk to the peace of this country,' Jarvis Witherspoon, head of the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (NCDDRR) said at a press conference. … Witherspoon blamed the lack of skills training for the remaining former fighters on a curtailment of donor funding. 'The commission has realised that... a sense of donor fatigue developed when it comes to support to have these 23,000 ex-combatants trained,' he said. The commission wants US$18 million dollars to embark on the provision of skill training for those remaining fighters.
Extending UNMIL, Security Council seeks plans for drawdown (30.03.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for six more months while asking Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to report on plans to draw down the level of blue helmets there. The decision was taken through a unanimously adopted resolution in which the Council recognized that “significant challenges remain in the consolidation of Liberia’s post-conflict transition, including massive development and reconstruction needs, the reform of the judiciary, extension of the rule of law throughout the country, the development of the Liberian security forces and security architecture, and consolidation of State authority.”
UN envoy underlines need for better policing of borders (26.03.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) Opening a new immigration office in a provincial capital in Liberia’s west, a senior United Nations envoy to the country today stressed that cross-border traffic in small arms, light weapons and rebels continues to threaten peace and stability in West Africa. Jordan Ryan, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Recovery and Governance, called for a comprehensive peace and security strategy for the region. … Liberia has approximately 176 entry points along its borders with Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, but only 36 are staffed by immigration officers, according to the bureau.
Ban Ki-moon recommends one-year extension of UN peacekeeping mission (16.03.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) Despite numerous successes made in Liberia to bolster peace and further economic progress, the impoverished West African country still faces many obstacles including poverty, high unemployment and incapacitated public services, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report, calling on the Security Council to extend the UN peacekeeping mission there for another year. Although “Liberia continues to make steady progress in consolidating peace, stability and democracy, as well as in promoting economic recovery,” Mr. Ban says in his latest report to the Council on the situation in Liberia, the country “still faces significant reconstruction and development challenges arising from 14 years of civil strife.”
UN envoy lauds debt relief deals reached at Liberia meeting (16.02.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) The United Nations envoy to Liberia today said “real progress” had been made this week in dealing with the impoverished country’s almost $4 billion debt, but acknowledged that major challenges remain in rebuilding, particularly in the security sector and in creating jobs, following 14 years of brutal civil war. … “The United States took the lead in announcing that it was in the process of forgiving all of Liberia’s debt, which is $391 million to the United States alone. Germany, the UK and several other countries also announced that they would be on the same track. There was also progress in reaching agreement to deal with multilateral debt – principally the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the World Bank and the African Development Bank.”
US cancels Liberia's $391m debt (13.02.2007)
(Quelle: BBC) The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has promised to write off $391m (£200m) in debt Liberia owes to the US. Speaking at a World Bank conference, she told Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: 'We have every intention of helping you succeed.'
Ex-combatants riot (10.02.2007)
(Quelle: allAfrica) Around 1,000 former members of Liberia's security forces seeking salaries and demobilisation packages rioted on Thursday in a suburb of Monrovia injuring two policemen and setting up road blocks before they were dispersed by a joint team of United Nations and government police. 'All we want now is our money,' a spokesman for the aggrieved ex-combatants Norrison Kayan, who said he was a colonel in the former Liberian Armed Forces, told reporters. The colonel said the ex-combatants he represents undertook the action to remind the Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the UN that they had made promises following protests made last year but that those promises had not been fulfilled.
Trial of Charles Taylor to start in June – UN prosecutor (30.01.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) The lead prosecutor for the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone today said the trial of Charles Taylor, the notorious former Liberian President who has been indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity, will commence in early June. The trial at The Hague on 4 June “represents the vindication of the principle that no person, no matter what their position, is above the law,” Prosecutor Stephen Rapp, who was appointed to the post last December, told reporters at a briefing at UN Headquarters.
UN helps Liberia shore up rule of law through support for corrections facility (29.01.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) The top United Nations envoy to Liberia has pledged the Organization’s continued support to promoting the rule of law through improved correctional facilities in the West African country which is rebuilding after a devastating 14-year civil war that killed almost 150,000 people and resulted in 850,000 more fleeing across its borders. During a visit to Zwedru, close to Liberia’s border with Côte d’Ivoire, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Alan Doss on Saturday underscored the need to heighten security in the area and called on citizens in border areas to report any unusual activities to the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and to local authorities.
UNMIL begins operation 'Seskin-Ii' today (25.01.2007)
(Quelle: allAfrica) The United Missions in Liberia (UNMIL) in collaboration with its Liberian security counterparts will today begin an extended phase of 'Operation Seskin' launched recently. According to UNMIL, the launch of phase two of the operations comes against the backdrop of the ongoing melee in Guinea which may have spill over effects. For the past weeks, Guinea has been engulfed with a violent demonstration in which over 28 persons have reportedly lost their lives.
Commander of Indian female UN police unit arrives in Liberia with advance team (22.01.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) The commander of an all-female Indian United Nations police unit has arrived in Liberia as part of an advance team that will pave the way for the landmark deployment of a 125-strong force later this month, the first time the world body has sent an all women specialized police unit to a peacekeeping operation. … The female FPU (Formed Police Unit, Anm. d. Red.) represents further effort by the UN to attract women police officers into their peacekeeping operations worldwide, because as of the end of 2006 while there were around 8,482 staff serving worldwide, only 454 – around four per cent – were women officers.
UN Mission calls for immediate investigation into possible sexual abuse (19.01.2007)
(Quelle: allAfrica) The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has called for an immediate internal investigation after receiving information about possible sexual exploitation by some of its staff, a UN spokesperson said today.
UN blue helmets help Liberian police boost security at large rubber plantation (12.01.2007)
(Quelle: UN News) United Nations peacekeepers have been called in to assist Liberian police to enhance security and improve management of a large rubber plantation in the West African nation that is consolidating democracy following a 14-year civil war. … UN forces on the ground have partnered with the Liberia National Police to regain authority over Liberian rubber plantations, which are among the world’s largest. The plantations have been marked by violence and theft in recent years, and in February 2006, a joint Liberian-UN Rubber Plantation Task Force was established to alleviate tensions between plantation administrators and workers, as well as eliminate government losses due to management inefficiencies.
Idle fighters cause concern (09.01.2007)
(Quelle: Irinnews) Two years after the conclusion of a nationwide disarmament exercise, about 39,000 former fighters have yet to be placed in skills training programmes, raising fears that they could be open to manipulation by other armed groups in the region. At the end of the disarmament programme in November 2004, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which supervised the exercise, reported that 101,495 fighters had been disarmed and demobilised.
Assistance for Africa: 'Don't turn your back on my country' (03.01.2007)
(Quelle: The Independent) One year after she was sworn in, Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, faces an increasing struggle to maintain stability in her impoverished nation. One of her biggest worries, she tells Leonard Doyle in Monrovia, is that much-needed international aid may be about to dry up
Security Council renews sanctions on Liberian trade in ‘blood diamonds’ (20.12.2006)
(Quelle: UN News) The Security Council today renewed the sanctions aimed at preventing Liberia from exporting “blood diamonds” or resuming the trade in arms and called on Secretary-General Kofi Annan to reappoint the Panel of Experts overseeing the ban. In a unanimous resolution, Council members agreed that although “sustained progress” has been made in Liberia since Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became President in January, the situation in the once war-torn West African country remained so fragile that it constituted a threat to regional peace.
UN report upbeat on Liberia’s progress while urging further steps to consolidate gains (15.12.2006)
(Quelle: UN News) Liberia’s new Government has continued to make encouraging progress in consolidating peace, promoting national reconciliation and stimulating economic recovery, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a report released today. … At the same time, the Secretary-General notes that the deployment of trained police officers continues to be hampered by logistical and management constraints. … Progress in meeting the governance and rule of law benchmarks has been slow, owing primarily to funding and capacity constraints.
Liberia honours UN for key role in war-torn country’s recovery and development (11.12.2006)
(Quelle: UN News) The democratically elected President of Liberia has honoured the United Nations role in bringing peace to a country torn asunder by a civil war that killed almost 150,000 people and sent 850,000 others fleeing across its borders, bedecking the world body’s chief representatives with traditional robes as a token of the people’s appreciation. “Our nation owes its gratitude to you, Mr. Doss, for the leadership you have exhibited in bringing this team together, in keeping it together, in getting the kinds of responses that has enabled us to be where we are today,” President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf told Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative Alan Doss during the festive event held in the coastal city of Buchanan in the south-east.
UN envoy inaugurates another police station as part of overall assistance (01.12.2006)
(Quelle: UN News) The top United Nations envoy to Liberia has inaugurated a new police station in Lofa County as part of the world body’s continued effort to help the West African nation rebuild after 14 years of bloody civil war was replaced by democracy. … The station is of particular strategic importance due to its proximity to the Guinean border, the mission said in a news release issued today.
Nigeria hands over arms to Liberia's new police (01.12.2006)
(Quelle: Reliefweb) Nigeria gave firearms Friday to Liberia's newly trained national police, enabling the police in the war-battered country to carry such weapons for the first time in three years. The supply of weaponry, whose amount have not been revealed, has been made possible by the lifting of a UN arms embargo covering the west African country in June. Liberia's former security forces were all disarmed and dissolved in 2003 under a peace accord that signaled the end of more than a decade of bloodshed in civil wars.
UN troops face child abuse claims (30.11.2006)
(Quelle: BBC) Children have been subjected to rape and prostitution by United Nations peacekeepers in Haiti and Liberia, a BBC investigation has found. Girls have told of regular encounters with soldiers where sex is demanded in return for food or money. A senior official with the organisation has accepted the claims are credible. The UN has faced several scandals involving its troops in recent years, including a DR Congo paedophile ring and prostitute trafficking in Kosovo.
First unit of new post-war army graduates (04.11.2006)
(Quelle: Reuters AlertNet) The first batch of U.S.-trained soldiers who will form Liberia's new army graduated on Saturday and national leaders urged them to protect democracy and respect human rights in a country scarred by a long civil war. … At a ceremony in Monrovia on Saturday, 106 officer trainees, the first members of what eventually will be a 4,000-strong Liberian armed forces formally graduated in the presence of government officials and foreign diplomats.
Professional police force critical to rebuilding Liberia, UN official says (04.11.2006)
(Quelle: UN News) A professional, accountable and disciplined police force is indispensable to building democracy especially in countries recovering from protracted war, a senior United Nations official said in Liberia. “Lessons from the recent history of Rwanda and other conflict areas, including Liberia, teach us how things can go horribly wrong when there is a breakdown in the rule of law,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Deputy Special Representative Luiz Carlos da Costa said. “We hold the firm belief that a professional, accountable, and disciplined police force is essential,” he added at a ceremony to award peacekeeping medals to Rwandan Police Officers serving with the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).