United Nations Security Council Resolution 2239 – Liberia

Resolution 2239 (2015)

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular 1509 (2003), 2066 (2012), 2116 (2013), 2177 (2014), 2190 (2014), 2215 (2015) and 2237 (2015) concerning the situation in Liberia, as well as 2162 (2014) and 2226 (2015) on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire,

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,

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 the security sector, particularly the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN),

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 all Liberians 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 Liberians,

Welcoming the overall progress towards restoring peace, security and stability in Liberia, commending the enduring commitment of the people and Government of Liberia to peace and to developing democratic processes and institutions and initiating important reform efforts, recognizing the effective response by the Government of Liberia, including with support from the international community, to the Ebola epidemic in Liberia and, in this regard, the resilience of the people and Government of Liberia and its security institutions and calling on all Liberian stakeholders to intensify momentum towards achieving greater social cohesion,

Looking forward to a comprehensive, inclusive constitutional review process as well as the implementation of the National Reconciliation Roadmap, urging efforts to strengthen the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, which could play a key role as a publicly accessible human rights institution and as a mechanism to monitor and follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and stressing that the responsibility for the preparation, security and conduct of free, fair and transparent 2017 presidential 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 cooperation between, and significant efforts of, the Government of Liberia and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to plan and prepare for the 30 June 2016 security transition to the Liberian authorities, expressing concern that the Government has not provided predictable and sustainable funding to shoulder the costs of deploying and sustaining its security personnel and resources throughout the country, including to operate and maintain the LNP and BIN outside of Monrovia, and welcoming the commencement of arms marking by the Armed Forces of Liberia,

Commending the continued efforts of the Government of Liberia to strengthen security cooperation in the subregion, notably with the governments of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, and recognizing that the instability in western Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose cross-border security challenges for Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire,

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

Extolling 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, including the Economic Community of West African States, African Union and Mano River Union, for their 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 (SSR), rule of law and national reconciliation, as well as in the post-Ebola recovery period, strongly encouraging the continued contributions of the international community in this regard, recognizing that key peacebuilding priorities must be fully integrated in the post-Ebola recovery efforts, 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), and 2106 (2013) on women, peace, and security, welcoming the renewed efforts by the Government of Liberia to promote and protect human rights, in particular of women and children and emphasizing that persistent barriers to full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) will only be dismantled through dedicated commitment to women’s empowerment, participation, and human rights, 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 13 August 2015 report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/620) and the recommendations contained therein on the adjustments to the mandate and composition of UNMIL in line with the security transition,

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,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 7525th meeting, on 17 September 2015.