CM/Res.1561 (LXI)
RESOLUTION ON LIBERIA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting at the Sixty-first Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 23 to 27 January 1995,
Having considered the Report of the Secretary General on the situation in Liberia as contained in Doc. CM/1861 (LXI).
Recalling Resolution CM/Res.1518 (LXI) adopted at its Sixtieth Ordinary Session in Tunis, Tunisia, as well as other previous OAU resolutions on the Liberian crisis,
Recalling the meting of Foreign Ministers of ECOWAS Committee of Nine on Liberia in Abuja, Nigeria, 5 August 1994, in Accra, Ghana on 22 to 24 November 1994, the meeting of the Liberian warring factions in Accra, Ghana from 20 to 22 December 1994 and the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS countries which are directly involved in the Liberian Peace Process from 24 to 25 January 1995,
Recalling further the Cotonou Accord signed on 25 July 1993 by the I nterim Government of National Unity (IGNU) , the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), and the United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia 9ULIMO) under the auspices of ECOWAS, the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity to bring durable and lasting peace in Liberia,
Noting with appreciation the sustained efforts of the current Chairman of ECOWAS, H.E Flt Lt J.J Rawlings, President of the Republic of Ghana, aimed at facilitating dialogue among the warring factions in Liberia with a view to reaching an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict,
Noting further the slow pace in the full implementation of the Cotonou Agreement resulting from the failure of disarmament and the inability of the Liberia National Transitional Government (LNTG) to achieve the objective of its mandate within the six-month period as stipulated in the said Cotonou Accord, thereby necessitating the signing of the Akosombo Agreement, the agreement on the classification of the Akosombo Agreement as well as the acceptance and accession agreement by the armed factions in the Liberian conflict,
Noting further the reaffirmation by the signatories of the Akosombo Agreement of the acceptance of the Cotonou Agreement as the framework for peace in Liberia, and that the Akosombo Accord seeks to supplement the Cotonou Agreement so as to engender its speedy implementation and enhance the peace process;
Expressing concern at the General deterioration in the security situation throughout Liberia, leading to an upsurge of violence among the various factions over most of 1994,
Being aware that the upsurge in fighting has caused undue disruption of humanitarian relief supplies and displacement of thousands of civilians in Liberia and worsened the situation of refugees in neighbouring countries,
Taking into account the invaluable contributions which the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and the Economic Community of West African States continue to make towards the search for peace in Liberia by providing troops and materials for ECOMOG as well as personnel and other resources;
Realizing that the successful implementation of all relevant agreements to restore peace to Liberia will invariably depend on contributions and continuing financial assistance flows from the International community, particularly major donor countries;
Being Aware of the huge humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction needs of the Liberian Nation and its People;
WELCOMES the new peace initiative of the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States 9ECOWAS), which has culminated into the recent signing by the warring parties of the Akosombo Agreement, the agreement on the clarification of the4 Akosombo Agreement as well as the acceptance and accession agreement;
AFFIRMS ITS BELIEF that the Akosombo Agreement and its clarification are a supplement to the Cotonou Accord, the latter which continues to offer the framework for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and CALLS ON all Parties to respect and implement these Accords;
CONFIRMS that the holding of Presidential and General Elections must be preceded by a comprehensive and total disarmament of all warring factions;
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 to Liberian refugees residing neighbouring countries;
COMMENDS in particular the efforts of those ECOWAS countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Mali and Senegal 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;
COMMENDS the efforts of the current Chairman of ECOWAS, H.E Flt Lt J.J Rawlings, President of the Republic of Ghana, for his untiring efforts at reconciling the warring factions and all other interest groups with a view to finding an early settlement to the Liberian crisis;
THANKS the United States of America and the European Union for having contributed to the UN Trust Fund for Liberia and APPEALS to the international donor community to assist in keeping the Fund endowed with adequate finances;
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;
THANKS the neighbouring countries for the hospitality and assistance extended to Liberian refugees and displaced persons;
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;
CALLS ON countries of the International Community to recognize and give full faith to the Liberia National Transitional Government as the Government of Liberia
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.