The United Nations Security Council on 17 September extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) until 30 September 2016, authorizing a reduction in its personnel, and urging the Liberian government to accelerate efforts to enhance the capacity of its security sector in preparation of the national authorities assuming all security responsibilities by 30 June next year. 

The Council encouraged UN member states and multilateral organizations to continue to provide financial, technical and other assistance to Liberia to enable the country assume full security responsibilities.

The Council urged the government of Liberia “to intensify its efforts towards achieving progress on the transition of security responsibilities from UNMIL to national authorities, particularly with regard to prioritizing and resourcing the critical gaps to facilitate a successful transition, improving the capacity and capability of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN), as well as the justice sector.”      

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Liberia, Farid Zarif welcomed the extension of the mandate, describing it as a demonstration of “the international community’s commitment to fully support Liberia’s assumption of full security responsibilities” by mid next year. 

The new SRSG, who assumed duties early September this year, expressed optimism over the commitment of the Government of Liberia to put in place the necessary structures to effectively take over security responsibilities from UNMIL.

“From my introductory interactions with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other top government officials, I feel confident that the Liberian political and institutional leaders are firmly committed to taking all necessary measures for a seamless conclusion of the security transition process,” he noted. “Such an effort requires active participation and contribution of all Liberians,” he stressed.

UNMIL’s new mandate focuses on protection of civilians, support to the Government for reform of the justice and security institutions, promotion and protection of human rights, and protection of UN personnel. 

The resolution urged the Government of Liberia to engage all Liberian stakeholders in pursuing a national reconciliation and social cohesion strategy to promote national healing, justice and reconciliation at all levels, and also to combat corruption and promote efficiency and good governance. It further called on the government to support women’s participation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.

The Council called on Liberia and neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire to continue to reinforce their cooperation, monitoring, sharing information, and coordinating and implementing shared border strategies to support the disarmament and repatriation of armed elements on both sides of the border, and voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity. As the UN mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) too is downsizing, the Council called for intermission cooperation arrangements for the use of common resources to facilitate rapid response and mobility.                  

Deployed on 1 October 2003 with an authorized force of 15,000 troops and 1,115 police officers to monitor the ceasefire agreement after the cessation of hostilities among the warring parties, the Mission has over the years undergone adjustments in its strength. UNMIL’s strength will be reduced to 1,240 military personnel and 606 police by June 2016 with Liberian national security agencies taking full responsibility of the country’s security. 

“It will be an important milestone, a demonstration of confidence that the country has turned the corner from conflict, disorder and dependence to a future of sustained peace, unity and independence,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon noted in his latest report on UNMIL to the Security Council.

And this is the milestone Liberians are sprinting to achieve as they mobilize resources to fully take over the security responsibility of their country in less than ten months from now.