AT THE 4830TH meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Saturday, 19 September 2003, the assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 1509 (2002) establishing a 15,000-strong stabilization force for Liberia to assist in the implementation of a cease-fire and peace agreement signed on August 18 in Accra, Ghana, which aims at national elections by the end of 2005.

ACTING UNDER CHAPTER VII of the United Nations Charter, the UN Security Council established the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the stabilization force called for in resolution 1497, for a period of 12 months. The resolution requested the Secretary-General to transfer authority from the ECOWAS-led ECOMIL forces to UNMIL on October 1, 2003.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, UNMIL will lend support to the implementation of the cease-fire agreement; protect UN staff, facilities and civilians; provide humanitarian and human rights assistance and lend support for security reform.

IN ADDITION, THE UNMIL is to lend support to the National Transitional Government of Liberia(NTGL) in monitoring and restructuring the security force of Liberia, consistent with democratic policies, to develop a civilian police training programme, and to otherwise assist in the training of civilian police as well as assist in the formation of a new and restructured Liberian military in cooperation with ECOWAS, international organizations, and interested states.
We welcome the mandate of UNMIL to lend support to the peace process as well as lend support for security reform.

WE NOTE WITH satisfaction that UNMIL will remedy some of the mistakes of the past such as the restructuring of the military and para-military organizations.

THE RESTRUCTURING OF the military and para-military was stipulated in the Abuja Accord but was never implemented by the Taylor -led administration thereby contributing to the problem that has beset this country.

THIS TIME AROUND, we hope that what is contained in UN Resolution 1509 (2003) will be implemented to the fullest which is to have a national army and security network that will see itself serving the general good of society and not only functioning as stooges for the national leader as it has been in the past.

WE KNOW, OVER the years, the security who should be protecting life and property have blatantly violated people’s rights with impunity.

AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, we support the restructuring of the military and para-military to ensure law and order, rule of law and respect for the basic rights of other people.