Extend arms embargo to all fighters in MRU, experts say

A UN panel of experts has recommended that an arms embargo be maintained against the Liberian government and extended to all armed actors, including rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), in the Mano River Union (MRU) sub-region. [The MRU comprises Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.] Liberia faces a humanitarian and economic crisis due to continuing clashes between government and rebel fighters, the panel said, but lifting the embargo could expose its people "even more to the mercy of unconstitutional forces, armed militia and abusive security apparatus". The panel, chaired by Kishore Mahbubani, submitted its latest report to the UN Security Council on 24 October. Other members included Atabou Bodian (Senegal), Johan Peleman (Belgium), Harjit S. Sandhu (India), Alex Vines (United Kingdom). "Since the last report in April, Liberia’s conflict has spread with violence spilling into Guinea and Sierra Leone," the experts said. "Recent events in Côte d’Ivoire [where rebels have been operating since 19 September] underscore how fragile this region remains." The experts said mercenaries were active in the MRU. "The panel received accounts of mercenaries from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana and Burkina Faso offering their services in the MRU. Along with these armed men, weapons and ammunition continue to move across borders," the report said. Liberia violates arms embargo - panel Liberia continued to violate the UN arms embargo, the report said. It received at least 200 mt of weapons and ammunition from Yugoslavia, delivered by six cargo aircraft in June, July and August. The shipments were obtained through a dealer in Belgrade, according to the panel. "To avoid detection, a sophisticated trail of double documentation was set up. Officially, the arms were sent to Nigeria and flight authorizations and cargo manifests were issued for the aircraft to fly to Lagos. At the same time, flight requests were issued for the same aircraft to fly to Liberia but the specification on the cargo manifests stated that the arms on board were 'mine drilling equipment' for a diamond mine in Monrovia." Non-existent Nigerian and intermediary companies were involved, the panel said. It urged arms dealers to abide by a moratorium on the supply of weapons to MRU countries. It also called for the establishment of a UN working group to standardise end-user certificates. The LURD, too, continued to receive weapons. "Different LURD factions [got] new supplies of arms and ammunition," the report said. "LURD strongholds and positions can only be re-supplied by road from Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone. Operations in the first six months of 2002 suggest some training, supply of new arms and overall command and control." Liberia, it said, had retained former rebels from Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF). "RUF strength in Liberia is 1,250-1,500 men, operating in elite military units. They enjoy the patronage of government and continue to play an important part in Liberia’s military capability," the experts reported. The fighting in Liberia has led to multiple internal displacement for hundreds of thousands of Liberians and to the exodus of 200,000 into other countries. "Liberians live in constant fear of the LURD and of forced recruitment, maltreatment, looting, extortion or other abuses by the undisciplined armed units deployed by the government," the report said. Discrepancies in timber revenues The panel found that the smuggling of Liberian diamonds to neighbouring states had declined even without a credible certification system. However, discrepancies existed in timber exports. The Central Bank of Liberia indicated that round logs worth US $59.5 million were exported in 2001. However by March 2002, log exports were officially US $4.6 m and sawn timber US $510,000. "Export figures of the bank [and] of the forest department indicate a discrepancy of $6 m in 2000 and $19.6 m in 2001," the report said. On government procurement, the panel said: "Nearly all income appears to be used for military operations and this pattern of spending has contributed towards humanitarian hardship." It added that a travel ban on officials had been violated and individuals on the list had been sighted in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "Sightings of Liberian officials at Abidjan airport continued and local authorities appear to be relaxed about enforcing the ban," it reported. Sanctions as an excuse According to the panel, the Liberian government had used the sanctions as an excuse for its failure to improve services in a public campaign. "Many Liberians believe their marginalization and economic woes are owing in part to UN sanctions," the report said. According to the experts, Liberia's economic crisis is likely to get worse. "GDP is expected to contract in 2002 because of disruption to economic activity. The war has impacted upon rubber, timber and diamond production. In 2001, only $451,000 worth of cocoa production and US $26,400 worth of coffee [was reported]. In 2002, only $15,300 of cocoa exports has been reported," they said. The panel reported that the price of staple goods had continued to rise, unemployment was about 85 per cent and payment of civil servants has been erratic with most arrears for November 2001 unpaid in September 2002. The full report and other relevant documents are available from: http//:wwww.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/Liberia