CM/Res.1518 (LX)
RESOLUTION ON LIBERIA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Sixtieth Ordinary Session in Tunis, Tunisia, from 6 to 11 June, 1994,
Having considered the Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Liberia as contained in Document CM/1832 (LX),
Recalling the meeting of Foreign Ministers of ECOWAS expanded Committee of nine on Liberia held in Tunis, Tunisia on June 10, 1994,
Recalling further the Cotonou Accord signed on 25 July, 1993 by the Interim government of National Unity (IGNU), the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and the United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO) under the auspices of ECOWAS, the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations aimed at bringing about a peaceful end to the conflict,
Noting with appreciation the progress that has been made in the implementation of the Cotonou Accord, particularly the installation of the Council of State, the Transitional Legislative Assembly, the Supreme Court, and the Elections Commission of the Liberia National Transitional government and the commencement of the process of disarmament on March 7, 1994,
Expressing concern about the slow pace with which the process of disarmament is proceeding, leading to the recent upsurge in fighting among the various factions and the increase of new military groups in Liberia,
Being aware that the slow pace of disarmament has directly or otherwise caused undue disruption of humanitarian relief supplies in other parts of Lib eria,
Considering the invaluable contribution which the Economic Community of West African States, the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations have made towards the advancement of the peace process in Liberia by providing ECOMOG troops, expanded troops from Uganda and Tanzania, and UN military observers,
Observing with serious concerns that some of the parties to the Cotonou Accord are laying down preconditions not stated in the Accord for compliance,
Noting that the slow pace of disarmament continues to have disastrous consequences on the people of Liberia and those of the neighbouring countries, thus posing a threat to the peace and stability of the ECOWAS region:
REAFFIRMS its belief that the Cotonou Agreement offers the best possible framework for a peaceful settlement of the Liberian conflict; and CALLS ON all parties, to respect and implement the Accord;
URGES all signatories to the Cotonou Accord to honour their signatures and commitments and to resolve their differences within the framework of the Liberian National Transitional Government and the Cotonou Accord;
CALLS on the signatories to the Cotonou Accord to desist and refrain from raising issues that are not in the Cotonou Accord as preconditions for their full compliance, thereby further delaying the peace-process;
WELCOMES the installation of the Liberian National transitional Government (LNTG);
SUPPORTS and gives credence to the Liberian National transitional government (LNTG), and calls on all the Liberian parties to support the Government and facilitate the rapid implementation of the Accord, particularly the disarmament process;
CALLS ON the United Nations and all peace-loving Nations to cooperate with and give full faith and credence to the Liberian National transitional Government (LNTG) which is a composite of all the parties to the Cotonou Accord;
CONFIRMS that holding of Presidential and General Elections must be preceded by a comprehensive and total disarmament of all warring factions;
CALLS ON all parties to immediately put a stop to the importation of any weapon and war-like material by any means into Liberia, and appeals to the international Community, especially neighbouring countries to take all steps necessary to implement and observe the arms embargo;
CALLS ON all parties to adhere scrupulously to the terms of the cease-fire and to cooperate fully with the international relief efforts in order to facilitate unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid; and appeals to the international Community to continue to extend humanitarian assistance to the Liberian people throughout the country and Liberian refugees residing in neighbouring countries;
COMMENDS in particular the efforts of those ECOWAS countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Mali which have contributed troops to the original ECOMOG contingent despite the enormous human and material costs to themselves, in order to assist in the search for peace in Liberia;
EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE to the African
countries outside the ECOWAS region, namely: Uganda and Tanzania which are contributing troops for the expanded ECOMOG, as well as to the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL), in support of the peace process;
SALUTES THE COURAGE of all contingents of ECOMOG troops and extols them to continue to pursue their peace mission;
APPEALS to the United States of America, the European Union, Japan, the United Nations and the international Community to contribute generously to the United Nations Trust Fund for Liberia;
CALLS ON the United Nations Secretary General to continue to ensure that the Fund is used to assist all the contingents, including those under ECOMOG, in the Liberian peace-keeping operations;
FURTHER CALLS ON the international Community, especially relevant United Nations Agencies and non-governmental international Organizations, to give their full financial, material and technical support to the repatriation and resettlement of Liberian refugees and all internally displaced persons in the country, and to contribute positively towards moving the country generally from dependence on humanitarian assistance to laying the basis for self-reliance, national rehabilitation, reconstruction and development;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General of the organization of African Unity to follow closely developments of the situation in Liberia and report thereon to the next Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers.