United Nations Security Council Resolution 1885 – Liberia

Resolution 1885 (2009)

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions and statements by its President concerning the situation in Liberia and the subregion, in particular its resolutions 1836 (2008), 1626 (2005), and 1509 (2003),

Welcoming the Secretary-General’s report of 10 August 2009 (S/2009/411), as well as his special report of 10 June 2009 (S/2009/299), and taking note of the recommendations in both reports,

Welcoming the efforts of the Government of Liberia to further national reconciliation and economic recovery, and to combat corruption and promote efficiency and good governance, in particular steps taken with regard to strengthening Government control over natural resources and to address the important issue of land reform,

Taking note of the conclusion of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which provides an important opportunity for the people of Liberia to move the national reconciliation agenda forward and engage in a constructive national dialogue on the root causes of the Liberian conflict,

Recognizing that lasting stability in Liberia and the subregion will require well-functioning and sustainable security and rule of law sectors, and noting the continuing progress being made in developing and professionalizing the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police,

Recalling the benchmarks for the drawdown phase of United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), including core benchmarks on the Liberia National Police and the national security strategy, and noting with concern those areas where progress is still slow,

Recognizing the significant challenges that remain across all sectors, including continuing problems with violent crime,

Welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping operations, including UNMIL, under close review and stressing the need for the Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments, consistent with the statement of its President dated 5 August 2009 on United Nations peacekeeping operations (S/PRST/2009/24),

Expressing its appreciation for the continuing support of the international community, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the African Union (AU),

Noting with concern the threats to subregional stability, including to Liberia, in particular posed by drug trafficking, organized crime, and illicit arms,

Commending the work of UNMIL, under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for its continuing and significant contribution to maintaining peace and stability in Liberia, and welcoming the close cooperation between UNMIL and the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), as well as with neighbouring Governments, in coordinating security activities in the border areas in the subregion,

Taking note of the conclusions of the needs assessment mission that evaluated the requirements of the Liberian National Elections Commission to prepare for and conduct the October 2011 general presidential and legislative elections, and stressing that the responsibility for the preparation and conduct of the elections rests with the Liberian authorities, with the support of the international community,

Welcoming progress achieved on the benchmarks laid out in the Secretary-General’s reports of 12 September 2006, 9 August 2007, and 19 March 2008,

Recalling its resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women, peace, and security and condemning any sexual violence, further welcoming the continuing efforts of UNMIL, in close cooperation with the Government of Liberia, to promote and protect the rights of civilians, in particular women and children, noting with appreciation that the Government’s strategy for implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is in place, recognizing the challenges that remain in addressing the serious issues of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse, and calling on member states to increase support to the government in its efforts,

Encouraging Liberian authorities to expedite their efforts to constitute the Independent National Commission on Human Rights,

Reiterating the continuing need for UNMIL’s support for the security of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, subject to periodic review as the Court’s work progresses,

Determining that the situation in Liberia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

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

1. Decides that the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) shall be extended until 30 September 2010;

2. Authorizes UNMIL to assist the Liberian government with the 2011 general presidential and legislative elections, by providing logistical support, particularly to facilitate access to remote areas, coordinating international electoral assistance, and supporting Liberian institutions and political parties in creating an atmosphere conducive to the conduct of peaceful elections;

3. Calls upon Liberian authorities to ensure that the outstanding issues regarding the electoral legal framework, including delineation of constituencies and proposed constitutional amendments, are finalized to facilitate adequate preparations for the elections;

4. Further endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the conduct of free and fair, conflict-free elections be a core benchmark for UNMIL’s future drawdown;

5. Reaffirms its intention to authorize the Secretary-General to redeploy troops, as may be needed, between UNMIL and UNOCI on a temporary basis in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1609 (2005) and calls on troop contributing countries to support the efforts of the Secretary-General in this regard;

6. Endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendation in his special report of 10 June 2009 (S/2009/299) to implement the third stage of UNMIL’s drawdown, from October 2009 to May 2010, repatriating 2,029 military personnel, three attack helicopters, and 72 armoured personnel carriers, leaving UNMIL’s military strength at 8,202 personnel, including 7,952 troops in Liberia and 250 at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and keeping the UNMIL police component at its current authorized strength;

7. Requests the Secretary-General, following consultations with the Government of Liberia, to develop and submit to the Council a strategic integrated plan to coordinate activity towards the achievement of benchmarks, and recalling the statements of its President on 22 July 2009 (PRST/2009/23) and 5 August 2009 (PRST/2009/24) which emphasized the need for coherence between, and integration of, peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development to achieve an effective response to post-conflict situations, requests the Secretary-General to provide in his reports an indication of progress toward achieving a coordinated United Nations approach in Liberia and in particular on critical gaps to achieving peacebuilding objectives;

8. Underscores the importance that the military concept of operations and rules of engagement be regularly updated and be fully in line with the provisions of this resolution, and requests the Secretary-General to report on them to the Security Council and Troop Contributing Countries;

9. Further requests the Secretary-General to continue to monitor progress on core benchmarks, in particular on progress on preparations for the 2011 elections, and on the progress made towards building the capability of the Liberia National Police, and to report regularly on that progress to the Security Council;

10. Calls upon the Government of Liberia, in coordination with UNMIL, the United Nations country team and international partners to redouble efforts to develop national security and rule of law institutions that are fully independently operational, and to this end encourages coordinated progress on the implementation of all Security and Justice Development Plans, including the Liberia National Police strategic plan referenced in paragraph 29 of the Secretary-General’s report of 10 August 2009 (S/2009/411);

11. Further requests the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed of the situation on the ground and to provide by 15 August 2010 a report on the issues addressed in paragraphs 2 and 9;

12. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 6188th meeting, on 15 September 2009.