The Security Council today <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sc10852.doc.htm">extended the sanctions imposed on Liberia in connection with the country’s civil war as well as the panel of experts tasked with monitoring compliance with the measures.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council noted “with serious concern” the lack of progress in implementing the financial measures imposed by a 2004 resolution demanding that all assets of former president Charles Taylor, family members and associates be frozen to prevent them from obstructing the restoration of peace in Liberia and the region.

The Council demanded that the Liberian Government “make all necessary efforts to fulfil its obligations.”

The 15-member body also renewed the measures on travel and arms, and the mandate of the panel of experts, for another 12 months, beginning today.

The panel was first appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in July 2007 to renew investigations on whether the sanctions were being enforced in the light of allegations that Mr. Taylor still had access to considerable wealth in the country.

Mr. Taylor was sentenced in May by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) to 50 years in prison for planning and for aiding and abetting crimes committed by Sierra Leonean rebel forces during that country’s decade-long civil war.

In today’s resolution, the Council called on all States and the Liberian Government to cooperate fully with the panel, which is tasked with, among other things, conducting two follow-up assessment missions to Liberia and neighbouring States to investigate and compile a mid-term and a final report on the implementation, and any violations, of the sanctions.

It also called on the Liberian Government to complete implementation of the recommendations of the 2009 review team for the Kimberley Process, a framework for certifying diamonds as not part of the illicit trade that could fuel conflict, and to improve transparent governance of all natural resources.

Dec 12 2012 6:10PM