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Security sector reform in Liberia critical to cutting UN presence there, envoy says

3 February 2006 – In discussions with a senior official from the International Centre for Transitional Justice, the United Nations envoy to Liberia today called for a complete review and reform of the security sector in the country as it struggles to emerge from more than a decade of vicious civil war.

Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, emphasized that the eventual reduction in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) depends on developing the capacity of the national security apparatus in the country.

Stressing the importance of stability in Liberia, Mr. Doss said “security sector reform is a major priority for the Government and the international community.”

In a press statement from Monrovia, Mr. Doss went on to say that a National Security Review was also needed “to determine the roles and responsibilities of the different security agencies currently operating in Liberia,” and he saw the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICJT) as contributing to this process.

Alexander Mayer-Rieckh, a Senior Associate with the ICTJ, said that working alongside the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association, the Centre had recently conducted a three-day conference on security sector reform, involving representatives from the Government, the various security agencies and UNMIL.

Mr. Mayer-Rieckh added that the workshop had now recommended to Liberia’s President the setting up of an independent advisory committee on reform, involving members from the Government, civil society and the international community.

The UN envoy reiterated the need to build an effective, competent and responsible security apparatus that is loyal to civilian control, is democratically accountable and respects human rights.

A recent UNMIL report said Liberia “continues to face serious challenges to upholding, protecting and respecting the human rights of its citizens,” but the director of the Mission’s human rights and protection section has said she has seen progress in the war-ravaged country.

“After one year of being here, I can see how despite all these negative indicators there is a lot of potential, there is a lot of change,” Dorota Gierycz said recently, citing as one example the outcome of the elections that brought President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to office last month, when she became the first woman elected to lead an African nation.

Also in Liberia, Mr. Doss yesterday met with the Archbishop of Dublin to discuss the West African nation’s development prospects and the contributions made by the Irish Government to UN peacekeeping and in particular to UNMIL.

“Liberia is rich in resources. It is not a country destined to be poor. Good governance, coupled with sound economic management, can ensure that income generated from these resources is used for the development of this country,” the UN envoy said.

Irish peacekeepers first arrived in Liberia in January 2004 and there are currently 420 Irish troops in the country, according to UNMIL.

Last year, the Security Council increased and extended UNMIL’s mandate until 31 March this year and also authorized UNMIL to be increased to 15,250 military personnel in order to help the country's political transition after 14 years of conflict.