UN's Mandate Extended

The Inquirer (Monrovia)
NEWS
April 2, 2007
 

The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) by six months, expiring on 30 September 2007. UNMIL's present mandate is expected to expire at midnight on 31 March 2007.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1750 (2007) last week , the UN Security Council has also requested the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to present a detailed drawdown plan for the mission in his next report to the Security Council, scheduled for June, which should include specific recommendations on force levels and options for a drawdown, which should be presented no later than 45 days prior to the expiration of UNMIL's mandate.

The Security Council, in its resolution, called on the Liberian Government, in close coordination with UNMIL, to take further steps towards achieving those benchmarks with the view of a phased, gradual consolidation, drawdown and withdrawal of UNMIL's troop contingent, "as the situation permits and without compromising the security of Liberia."

The Council has further decided to include an additional element to UNMIL's mandate, by providing administrative and related support and security for activities conducted in Liberia by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

"UNMIL's mandate shall include the following additional element: to provide, within its capabilities and areas of deployment and without prejudice to the performance of its other mandated tasks, administrative and related support and security, on a cost-reimbursable basis, for activities conducted in Liberia by the Special Court for Sierra Leone with the consent of the Government of Liberia," the resolution notes.

The Security Council recognizes 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. Though UN Secretary-General Ban required a one-year extension of UNMIL's mandate, citing the fact that Liberia still faces significant development and reconstruction challenges from the civil war; however, the Security Council only extended its mandate by six months.