United Nations Security Council Resolution 2333 – The situation in Liberia

Resolution 2333 (2016)

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular 1509 (2003), 2066 (2012), 2116 (2013), 2177 (2014), 2190 (2014), 2215 (2015), 2237 (2015), 2239 (2015) and 2308 (2016) concerning the situation in Liberia, and 2162 (2014), 2226 (2015) and 2295 (2016),

Affirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Liberia and recalling the principles of good-neighbourliness, non-interference and regional cooperation,

Welcoming the overall progress toward restoring peace, security and stability in Liberia, and commending the successful completion of the transfer of security responsibilities from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to Liberia’s security services on 30 June 2016 and the commitment of the people and Government of Liberia to peace and to developing democratic processes and institutions and initiating important reform efforts,

Affirming that the Government of Liberia bears primary responsibility for ensuring peace, stability and the protection of the civilian population in Liberia and for reforming and building the capacity of the security sector, particularly the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS),

Stressing that lasting stability in Liberia will require the Government of Liberia to sustain well-functioning and accountable government institutions, especially in the security and justice sectors, to build the confidence of the people of Liberia, and urging the Government of Liberia to demonstrate substantive progress in the reform, restructuring and effective functioning of the security and justice sectors to provide for the protection of all the people of Liberia,

Noting the potential security challenges during the preparation for, and the period leading up to, October 2017 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia, urging the Government of Liberia to accelerate efforts to resolve longstanding land rights, reconciliation, accountability and transparency matters to bolster public confidence in its government in advance of Liberia’s scheduled 2017 presidential and legislative elections and transfer of power, and stressing the need for the Government of Liberia to build on the successful transfer of security responsibilities, completed on 30 June 2016, to its security forces in preparation for both the conduct and outcome of elections, and calling on international partners to support the Liberian authorities in ensuring the credibility of those elections, including through the deployment of international electoral observers,

Looking forward to a comprehensive, inclusive constitutional review process as well as the implementation of the National Reconciliation Roadmap, and urging efforts to strengthen the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, which has a key role as a publicly accessible human rights institution and a s a mechanism to monitor and follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,

Emphasizing the integral role of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in evaluating the human rights situation in Liberia as it meets its commitments outlined in the country recommendations for Liberia from its 2015 Universal Periodic Review,

Stressing that the responsibility for the preparation, security and conduct of free, fair and transparent 2017 presidential and legislative elections rests with the Liberian authorities,

Noting with concern the potential for conflict over Liberia’s natural resources and disputes related to land ownership, and also noting that issues related to corruption continue to threaten to undermine stability and the effectiveness of government institutions,

Commending the continued efforts of the Government of Liberia to strengthen security cooperation in the sub-region, notably with the governments of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone,

Expressing appreciation for the continued assistance provided by the people and Government of Liberia to Ivorian refugees in eastern Liberia and toward their voluntary repatriation to Côte d’Ivoire,

Commending the continued contribution, commitment and resolve of United Nations personnel, as well as of the troop- and police-contributing countries of UNMIL, to assist in consolidating peace and stability in Liberia,

Expressing appreciation to the international community for its support to consolidate peace, security and stability in Liberia, welcoming, in particular, the contributions of bilateral partners and multilateral organizations, as well as the Peacebuilding Commission, to support Liberia’s efforts on security sector reform, rule of law and national reconciliation, strongly encouraging the continued contributions of the international community in this regard, including the full implementation of the Statement of Mutual Commitments, recognizing that key peacebuilding priorities must be fully integrated into Liberia’s development strategy, including revitalizing socioeconomic development, and emphasizing the need for coherence between, and integration of, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development to achieve an effective response to post-conflict situations,

Recognizing the significant challenges that remain across all sectors, including continuing problems with violent crime, in particular the high rates of sexual and gender-based violence, especially involving children,

Recalling its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013) and 2242 (2015) on women, peace and security, and emphasizing that persistent barriers to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) will only be dismantled through dedicated commitment to women’s empowerment, participation and human rights and accountability for acts of sexual and gender-based violence and through concerted leadership, consistent information and action and support to build women’s engagement in all levels of decision-making,

Taking note of the 15 November 2016 report of the Secretary-General (S/2016/968) and the recommendations contained therein on the adjustments to the mandate and composition of UNMIL in line with the scheduled 2017 elections and 2018 transfer of power,

Mindful of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Charter of the United Nations,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 7851st meeting, on 23 December 2016.