Council concerned with violation of sanctions

Members of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday expressed concern at continued violation of sanctions by Liberia's government, including an embargo on the import of arms. The Council decided to conduct six-monthly reviews of the measures imposed on the Liberian government because of its support for rebels in Sierra Leone. According to a statement issued by Security Council President Wang Yingfan, members said that apart from the government's failure to meet demands made in Security Council Resolution 1343, it had used the sanctions as an excuse for failing to improve services and carry out reforms. Sanctions were slapped on Liberia's government in March 2001 for its alleged support for the Sierra Leonen rebels, and its reported involvement in the illegal arms-for-diamonds trade. The sanctions, imposed under Security Council Resolutions 1343, include a travel ban on senior Liberian officials and an embargo on the sale of Liberian diamonds. The resolution required the Monrovia government to expel the Sierra Leonean rebels, prohibit them from operating in Liberia, and stop importing uncertified diamonds from Sierra Leone. The resolution also extended an earlier ban on trade in weapons with Liberia. Noting that a UN panel of experts which presented its report to the Council on 24 October had described the sanctions impact on the humanitarian situation in the country as negligeable, the Council urged the government to direct its resources towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Liberia. Members called on the international community to help Liberia to alleviate its worsening humanitarian crisis. The Council said the prohibition the sale of arms and related material applied to any Liberian recipient, including non-state actors such as the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). Members renewed their call on the Liberian government to commission independent audits of timber and shipping revenue and to ensure that these were used only for social, humanitarian and development purposes, in accordance with a 2002 resolution (Resolution 1408) They agreed, however, that they must remain engaged with Liberia and its people. They also agreed to work on a comprehensive approach to the situation in Liberia and the subregion and reaffirmed their support for regional initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Mano river Union area, which comprises Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.