Security Council ends 13-year sanctions regime on Liberia

25 May 2016 – Acknowledging the sustained progress made on rebuilding Liberia after the 1999-2003 civil war, the United Nations Security Council today terminated an arms embargo against the country and dissolved the related mechanisms, namely the sanctions Committee and the expert panel.

While taking such measures, the 15-nation body, through a unanimously adopted resolution, also encouraged the Government to establish a necessary framework to combat the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition.

Following the Council’s action to lift the measures, most of which have been in place since 2003, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued by his spokesperson,welcomed the decision.

According to the statement, the UN chief noted that targeted sanctions measures have accompanied the consolidation of peace and the rebuilding of State institutions in Liberia since 2003, and that these measures have been progressively adjusted as Liberia has met the benchmarks set out by the Council.

“Today’s lifting by the Security Council of the remaining arms embargo on non-State actors further signals the significant progress made by Liberia and the sub-region in maintaining stability,” the statement said.

The Secretary-General echoed the resolution’s call on the Liberian Government to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to establish the necessary legal and administrative framework to combat the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition, the statement added.