Assets Freeze On Liberian Ex-President, Allies Must Be Enforced –
Security Council
New York, Dec 19 2008 3:10PM
The Security Council today voiced concern at the lack of progress in freezing the financial assets available to former
Liberian president Charles Taylor, now on trial at the United Nations-backed court for Sierra Leone for war crimes and
crimes against humanity, as well as to his family and associates.
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body extended for another year the Panel of Experts looking into
issues of diamonds, timber, sanctions, arms and security in Liberia as it recovers from 14 years of devastating civil
war, and called on the Government to continue to make all necessary efforts to enforce the assets freeze.
The Council renewed an embargo on arms supplies, except in certain cases for the Liberian police, security and armed
forces, as well as a travel ban by all States on Mr. Taylor’s associates and family members, except for humanitarian
situations.
“Despite significant progress having been made in Liberia, the situation there continues to constitute a threat to
international peace and security in the region,” the resolution said of the West African nation, where the UN helped
restore peace and stability, culminating in the democratic election of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf three years ago.
It stressed the continuing importance of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in improving security and helping the
Government establish its authority throughout the country, particularly in border areas and the diamond, timber, and
other natural resource-producing regions, where smuggled minerals fuelled the years of conflict.
The Council called on the Panel to identify and make recommendations on areas where the capacity of States in the region
can be strengthened to facilitate implementation of the measures imposed.
ENDS