Liberians slow to disarm
2004-06-04 08:42
New York - The largest UN peacekeeping mission is nearing its full strength of 15 000 forces in Liberia, but a fragile security is threatened by thousands of fighters who have not disarmed, a report said.
The report by Secretary-General Kofi Annan said 14 131 international troops were helping to stabilise the security situation across Liberia and a battalion from Senegal arriving later this month would round out the mission.
But only 30 975 combatants have been disarmed, or 58% of the anticipated 53 000, since December 2003, according to the report released on Tuesday and due to be discussed by the UN Security Council on Thursday.
UN forces have made "steady progress" in stabilising Liberia and no major violence has been reported, Annan said in the report, but he added that "many daunting challenges still lie ahead."
"The security situation remains fragile, mainly because the disarmament process is yet to be completed," he said.
Annan also appealed to the international community for "generous support" of the peace process, saying only about 30% of the $137m requested this year for non-food humanitarian relief had been received.
Similarly, only about $70m of the $520m pledged in early February at an international donors' conference for reconstruction had been received, according to the report.
Former president Charles Taylor launched Liberia into crisis with his 1989-1996 insurgency before winning elections in 1997. Rebels who took up arms against him in 1999 besieged Monrovia in June, helping drive him into exile in early August.
Taylor's departure for Nigeria paved the way for a peace deal in August to end the rebellion and for the formation of the UN peacekeeping force, its largest.
A national-unity government arranged under the peace pact is to lead Liberia until late-2005 elections.
Plagued by violence
The disarmament process was plagued by violence from the start when the first of the Liberian fighters set to give up their arms in early December rioted to demand immediate cash handouts.
After officials of the UN mission agreed to initial payments of $75, thousands of government fighters swamped UN facilities. Officials suspended the drive on December 17 but successfully relaunched an amended version this year.
Between April 15 and May 19, 17 485 fighters turned in arms, including 2 292 women, 1 561 boys and 352 girls.
Among the weapons handed over were AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades, although the report pointed to "worrying signs" that some heavy weapons were not being relinquished.
Annan also welcomed the establishment of an interim national police force and improved access for humanitarian groups outside the capital, Monrovia.
But the government's capacity to deliver services and extend its authority throughout the country remains "extremely limited" and the country's resources must be managed properly to generate "sorely needed" revenue, the report said.
- AP