Security Council Maintains Travel Ban

News and Events

Security Council Maintains Travel Ban
Says the Affected Remain 'Threat'to Liberia's Feeble Peace
Fatoumata Fofana, Liberian Observer
May 21, 2009

MONROVIA, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Susan Rice, says the UN Security Council maintains its sanction on certain individuals who the Council continues to believe pose a risk to Liberia and regional peace and security through their actions.
Addressing members of the press in Monrovia at a brief session on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, Dr. Rice emphatically stated that the Council's travel ban and assets freeze remained in force.

Heading a 10-permanent member delegation of the UN Security Council to Liberia, Dr. Rice added that the Council held its sanction in effect.
It may be recalled that the UN Security Council in 2003 listed certain Liberians as posing a 'threat' to Liberia and regional peace and security and consequently placed them on a travel ban.
Although a few of the affected had since been de-listed from the ban, some close associates of former President Charles Taylor, his wife and son still remain on the ban.

Recently, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told media executives at a meeting that her Government was demanding information, which it did not have, on the level of threat those being banned posed to the peace of the country. She said if the affected no longer posed a threat to the peace of Liberia, then they needed to be de-listed.

In a related development, Dr. Rice has described the current security situation in the country as 'fairly fragile' and one that could be disrupted at any point in time.
“According to what we've heard, there is a general degree of relative stability and calm in the country. However, the message we have received is that this relative calm is fairly fragile and could be disrupted at any time. It is critically important that the police are fully effective, responsible and trained as a body that can provide effective protection for the people and their properties,” Dr. Rice asserted.
According to her, the Council considers the issues of security sector reform, justice and the rule of law as those areas that require urgent and sustained attention and “we look forward to enhancing support in those areas”.

Regarding the issue of the UN drawdown on its forces, Dr. Rice said: “We will certainly take back with us to New York the insights and impressions of what we've gained here from our visit and our assessment of the security situation will inform our decision forward and as we review the mandate of UNMIL in September. We are fully cognizant of the security situation as well as its fragility.”
For her part, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said her Government would like to see a continued and enhanced support to the country's security sector reform and the area of justice on the part of the Council.

The President expressed overwhelming thanks and appreciation to the delegation. According to her, the delegation came to make assessment of the progress Government and other relevant stakeholders had made as the country moved toward peace and development after years of devastating civil conflict.
“They also came to assess the performance of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and what will be their future role in our country,” the President added.
Dr. Rice's delegation, which arrived in the country on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, also held consultations with high-ranking Liberian government officials, including the President and the hierarchy of the UNMIL.