Liberia - Slipping into chaos
2005-03-24 10:07
United Nations - The international community must to do more for Liberia to keep the struggling West African state from slipping back into chaos, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan warned on Wednesday.
In a report to the Security Council, Annan said progress had been made with a peace deal and transitional government as Liberia readies for elections in October, but that more international support was needed.
"Liberia faces the risk of repeating the pattern of abuse of power, institutional breakdown and violence that has plagued the country for the past 25 years," he said.
He called on donors to provide the $40m needed for the disarmament and demobilisation of former fighters in Liberia, which is trying to rebuild from years of civil war.
'Critical need'
In addition, the restructuring of the Liberian army has fallen behind schedule, due in part to a lack of funds for the severance pay and pensions of existing military personnel, he said.
Annan stressed there was a "critical" need for the power-sharing, transitional government of Gyude Bryant to "put an end to corrupt practices and to institute transparent arrangements for the management of public funds."
In December 2004, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to renew sanctions on Liberia that had been in place since the reign of former president Charles Taylor, who fled into exile the previous year.
The Bryant government had hoped the council would lift the ban on timber and diamond exports to help boost revenues.
But the council upheld the ban shortly after a UN report found there was "no semblance of budgetary control" by the government.
Annan said the government may not be able to take the needed steps and suggested that the Security Council back a proposal in the country's peace accord for international oversight assistance in key ministries.
He also offered UN help in organising a national forum before the planned election in October in order to discuss thorny reform issues including land use and property rights.
"While all Liberians appear to agree on the need for such a forum, opinions are divided concerning its timing. Some believe that it could lead to a stalemate on delicate issues and result in (election) postponement," he said.
He urged Liberians to come to agreement on when to hold the forum.
Liberia, founded by freed United States slaves, is rich in natural resources but remains hobbled by both its long years of war and the corruption that was rampant under Taylor's chaotic rule.
Taylor is under indictment by a UN court for alleged war crimes in connection with the brutal civil war in western neighbour Sierra Leone, which he is said to have funded in part from timber and diamond sales.
There is also concern about developments in the country's eastern neighbour, Ivory Coast, which is currently divided into government and rebel-held areas. - AP
- SAPA