Americas

Americas

UN chief recommends drawdown of UN mission in Liberia

09 May 2012 01:52 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has recommended that the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Liberia be reduced gradually by about 4,200 troops in three phases between this year and 2015, when it will have a residual presence of some 3,750 soldiers, UN officials said here Tuesday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"While Liberia no longer faces any military threat, the country still has significant challenges because of its limited national security capacity," as well as other potentially destabilizing factors, the secretary-general said in his latest report to the UN Security Council on the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), said the officials.

In his report, Ban also recommended that UNMIL’s police component maintain its current strength of 498 advisers and 845 officers in seven formed police units, and be authorized to add three formed units as needed over the next three years.

At present, UNMIL has a total of 9,195 uniformed personnel, which includes 1,279 police, and those serving in formed police units.

UNMIL was established by the 15-nation Security Council in its resolution adopted on Sept. 19, 2003 to support the implementation of the cease-fire agreement and the peace process in the West African country, protect United Nations staff and facilities and civilians, as well as assist in national security reform, including national police training and formation of a new, restructured military.

Much has been achieved in enhancing peace, promoting economic recovery and social advancement and strengthening regional cooperation in Liberia under the leadership of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Ban said.

However, he noted, the gains remain fragile and susceptible to reversal as long as the socio-political basis of governance is not understood by all Liberians.

"Building credible and effective institutions, particularly in the security and rule of law sectors, will require progress in overcoming the root causes of the country’s conflict, including structural inequalities," said the secretary-general.

"Considerable political will and commitment is essential from all stakeholders, and I therefore call on the people and the government of Liberia to continue their efforts to strengthen the foundations of democracy, and for international partners to stay the course in Liberia and support national efforts to consolidate the conditions for lasting peace and development," he said.

Meanwhile, Ban also noted that continuing stability in Liberia will also depend on the evolution of the situation in the sub- region and the development of national and regional capacities to respond to sub-regional threats to peace and security, which remain a serious concern.

Ban reiterated the UN’s readiness to support West African regional initiatives to enhance stability.