Decision A/DEC.1/8/90 on the Ceasefire and Establishment of an ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group for Liberia (ECOWAS Peace Plan)

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Country/entity: Liberia
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Decision A/DEC.1/8/90 on the Ceasefire and Establishment of an ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group for Liberia (ECOWAS Peace Plan)
Date: 7 Aug 1990
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Liberian Civil Wars (1989 - 1997) (1999 - 2005)
In 1989, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) attacked border posts as part of a campaign to oust the dictatorship of Samuel Doe. This triggered a violent civil war that by 1995 had killed around 150,000 and displaced an estimated 850,000 people. The outbreak of war is attributed to the domestic socio-economic and political environment in the country of the 1980s, such as poverty, discrimination and repression. However, its sustenance is also related to past discrimination against indigenous Liberians by ‘Americo-Liberians’, and deep ethnic divisions that resulted.

Peace negotiations began in 1992 and completed by 1997. However, the peace lasted only a short period and in 1999 there was renewed fighting against the elected president, Charles Taylor. The Guinea-backed organisation, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), together with the armed Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) controlled two thirds of the country by 2003 and besieged the capital Monrovia, forcing Charles Taylor into exile in Nigeria. In August that same year, the conflict parties signed the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement and in 2005 new general elections were held.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Liberia peace process
Parties: H. E. DAWDA KAIRABA JAWARA
CHAIRMAN
ECOWAS STANDING MEDIATION COMMITTEE
FOR THE AUTHORITY
Third parties: -
Description: A short agreement from the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee designating the committee as an appropriate mechanism for resolving the Liberian Conflict, calling on the warring parties to observe a ceasefire, and setting up a ceasefire monitoring group.

Agreement document: LR_900807_ECOWAS Decision 1-8-90.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: Groups→Other groups→Rhetorical
Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 6: DEEPLY CONCERNED about the plight of foreign nationals, particularly citizens of the Community who are seriously affected by the conflict;
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 4: GRAVELY CONCERNED about the armed conflict existing in Liberia and the wanton destruction of human life and property and the displacement of persons occasioned by the said conflict;

Page 2, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 3. The Interim Government shall unban all political parties and facilitate the 'return of all refugees and political exiles'.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 5: CONSIDERING the massive damage in various forms being caused by the armed conflict to the stability and survival of the entire Liberian nation;
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
...d) refrain, pending the establishment of an Interim Government for the governance of Liberia until a new government is set up as a result of democratically conducted elections, from any activity which might prejudice the establishment of such Interim Government or the holding of general and presidential elections;
...f) respect, unless otherwise suspended to facilitate the administration of the country by the Interim Government, the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia adopted on 6th January 1986;

Page 2, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 3. The Interim Government shall unban all political parties and facilitate the 'return of all refugees and political exiles'.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 4: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall remain in Liberia, if necessary, until the successful holding of general elections and the installation of an elected government.
Elections: Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
...d) refrain, pending the establishment of an Interim Government for the governance of Liberia until a new government is set up as a result of democratically conducted elections, from any activity which might prejudice the establishment of such Interim Government or the holding of general and presidential elections;

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 2: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group shall be under the command of a Force Commander appointed by the Committee. He shall be entrusted with powers to conduct military operations for the purpose of Monitoring the ceasefire, restoring law and order to create the necessary conditions for free and fair elections to be held In Liberia.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 4: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall remain in Liberia, if necessary, until the successful holding of general elections and the installation of an elected government.

Page 3, ARTICLE V: APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: The Committee appeals to all members of the international Community not to assist any of the warring parties in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of the ceasefire and the holding of general and presidential elections.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: Governance→Political parties reform→Other political parties reform
Page 2: Article I
3. The Interim Government shall unban all political parties and facilitate the 'return of all
refugees and political exiles
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: Governance→Constitution→Constitution affirmation/renewal
Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
...f) respect, unless otherwise suspended to facilitate the administration of the country by the Interim Government, the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia adopted on 6th January 1986;

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 1: MINDFUL of Article 5 of the ECOWAS Treaty establishing the Authority of Heads of State and Government and defining its composition and functions;

Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 3: RECALLING the Protocol relating to Mutual Assistance on Defence signed by the Heads of State and Government at Freetown on 29th May 1981;
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: Rights related issues→Citizenship→Citizen, general
Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 6: DEEPLY CONCERNED about the plight of foreign nationals, particularly citizens of the Community who are seriously affected by the conflict;

Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 8: DETERMINED to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict and to put an end to the situation which is seriously disrupting the normal life of innocent citizens in Liberia;
Democracy: Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
...d) refrain, pending the establishment of an Interim Government for the governance of Liberia until a new government is set up as a result of democratically conducted elections, from any activity which might prejudice the establishment of such Interim Government or the holding of general and presidential elections;
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 2, ARTICLE III: FINANCE OF THE OPERATIONS: All expenses relating to the operations of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group shall be drawn from the Special Emergency Fund created by Decision A/DEC.3/8/90 of the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
[Summary: The entire agreement provides for a ceasefire and its modalities. The ceasefire is effective immediately from 07/08/1990. It is unclear whether the ceasefire is temporary or permanent.]

Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 1: The Standing Mediation Committee acting on behalf of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, hereby calls on all the parties to the conflict to observe an immediate ceasefire as a contribution to the restoration and maintenance of peace and security throughout Liberia.

Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
a) cease all activities of a military or para-military nature, as well as all acts of violence;
b) surrender all arms and ammunition to the custody of the ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG);
c) refrain from importing or acquiring or assisting or encouraging the importation and acquisition of weapons or war materials;
d) refrain, pending the establishment of an Interim Government for the governance of Liberia until a new government is set up as a result of democratically conducted elections, from any activity which might prejudice the establishment of such Interim Government or the holding of general and presidential elections;
e) release all political prisoners and prisoners of war;
f) respect, unless otherwise suspended to facilitate the administration of the country by the Interim Government, the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia adopted on 6th January 1986;
g) fully cooperate with the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee, the ECOWAS Executive Secretary and the ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group for the effective maintenance of the ceasefire and the restoration of law and order.

Page 2, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 3. The Interim Government shall unban all political parties and facilitate the 'return of all refugees and political exiles'.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 1: In order to arrive at a peaceful and lasting settlement of the dispute, ECOWAS shall establish, under the authority of the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and under the command of an ECOWAS Member State, a Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to be composed of military contingents drawn from the Member States of the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee as well as from Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 2: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group shall be under the command of a Force Commander appointed by the Committee. He shall be entrusted with powers to conduct military operations for the purpose of Monitoring the ceasefire, restoring law and order to create the necessary conditions for free and fair elections to be held In Liberia.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 3: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall be assigned the function of assisting the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee in supervising the implementation and in ensuring the strict compliance by the parties with the provisions of the ceasefire throughout the territory of Liberia.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 4: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall remain in Liberia, if necessary, until the successful holding of general elections and the installation of an elected government.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 5: The Executive Secretary shall establish rules and regulations for the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) after consultation with the Chairman of the Authority.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 6: The Executive Secretary is hereby authorised to appoint a Special Representative and other supporting staff for the operations in Liberia. The Special Representative shall work in close collaboration with the Forces Commander and assist in carrying out the ECOWAS operations in Liberia.

Page 2, ARTICLE III: FINANCE OF THE OPERATIONS: All expenses relating to the operations of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group shall be drawn from the Special Emergency Fund created by Decision A/DEC.3/8/90 of the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee.

Page 3, ARTICLE IV: COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS: The operations of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group in Liberia shall commence forthwith,

Page 3, ARTICLE V: APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: The Committee appeals to all members of the international Community not to assist any of the warring parties in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of the ceasefire and the holding of general and presidential elections.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 3: RECALLING the Protocol relating to Mutual Assistance on Defence signed by the Heads of State and Government at Freetown on 29th May 1981;

Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
a) cease all activities of a military or para-military nature, as well as all acts of violence;
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
...b) surrender all arms and ammunition to the custody of the ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG);
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
a) cease all activities of a military or para-military nature, as well as all acts of violence;
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, ARTICLE 1 CEASEFIRE, 2: The parties to the conflict shall:
...e) release all political prisoners and prisoners of war;
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 4: GRAVELY CONCERNED about the armed conflict existing in Liberia and the wanton destruction of human life and property and the displacement of persons occasioned by the said conflict;

Page 1, Untitled Preamble, para 8: DETERMINED to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict and to put an end to the situation which is seriously disrupting the normal life of innocent citizens in Liberia;
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: H. E. DAWDA KAIRABA JAWARA
CHAIRMAN
ECOWAS STANDING MEDIATION COMMITTEE
FOR THE AUTHORITY
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 1: In order to arrive at a peaceful and lasting settlement of the dispute, ECOWAS shall establish, under the authority of the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and under the command of an ECOWAS Member State, a Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to be composed of military contingents drawn from the Member States of the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee as well as from Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 2: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group shall be under the command of a Force Commander appointed by the Committee. He shall be entrusted with powers to conduct military operations for the purpose of Monitoring the ceasefire, restoring law and order to create the necessary conditions for free and fair elections to be held In Liberia.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 3: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall be assigned the function of assisting the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee in supervising the implementation and in ensuring the strict compliance by the parties with the provisions of the ceasefire throughout the territory of Liberia.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 4: The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall remain in Liberia, if necessary, until the successful holding of general elections and the installation of an elected government.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 5: The Executive Secretary shall establish rules and regulations for the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) after consultation with the Chairman of the Authority.

Page 2, ARTICLE II: CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP, 6: The Executive Secretary is hereby authorised to appoint a Special Representative and other supporting staff for the operations in Liberia. The Special Representative shall work in close collaboration with the Forces Commander and assist in carrying out the ECOWAS operations in Liberia.

Page 3, ARTICLE IV: COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS: The operations of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group in Liberia shall commence forthwith,
Enforcement mechanism: Page 3, ARTICLE VI FINAL PROVISIONS: The ECOWAS Executive Secretary shall be responsible for the proper implementation and application of this Decision which shall enter into force upon signature and shall be published in the Official Journal of the Community and in the National Gazette of each Member State.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Official Journal of the ECOWAS, Vol. 21, Nov. 1991

DECISION A/DEC.1/8/90 ON THE CEASEFIRE AND ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ECOWAS CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP FOR LIBERIA

THE COMMUNITY STANDING MEDIATION COMMITTEE

MINDFUL of Article 5 of the ECOWAS Treaty establishing the Authority of Heads of State and Government and defining its composition and functions;

MINDFUL of Decision A/DEC.9/5/90 of 30 May 1990 of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the creation of a Community Standing Mediation Committee;

RECALLING the Protocol relating to Mutual Assistance on Defence signed by the Heads of State and Government at Freetown on 29th May 1981;

GRAVELY CONCERNED about the armed conflict existing in Liberia and the wanton destruction of human life and property and the displacement of persons occasioned by the said conflict;

CONSIDERING the massive damage in various forms being caused by the armed conflict to the stability and survival of the entire Liberian nation;

DEEPLY CONCERNED about the plight of foreign nationals, particularly citizens of the Community who are seriously affected by the conflict;

CONSIDERING that law and order in Liberia have broken down;

DETERMINED to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict and to put an end to the situation which is seriously disrupting the normal life of innocent citizens in Liberia;

CONVINCED that the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee established by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States at its Thirteenth Session held from 28 to 30 May 1990 in Banjul provides an appropriate mechanism for resolving the situation.

DECIDES

ARTICLE 1:

CEASEFIRE

The Standing Mediation Committee acting on behalf of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, hereby calls on all the parties to the conflict to observe an immediate ceasefire as a contribution to the restoration and maintenance of peace and security throughout Liberia.

The parties to the conflict shall:

cease all activities of a military or para-military nature, as well as all acts of violence;

surrender all arms and ammunition to the custody of the ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG);

refrain from importing or acquiring or assisting or encouraging the importation and acquisition of weapons or war materials;

refrain, pending the establishment of an Interim Government for the governance of Liberia until a new government is set up as a result of democratically conducted elections, from any activity which might prejudice the establishment of such Interim Government or the holding of general and presidential elections;

release all political prisoners and prisoners of war;

respect, unless otherwise suspended to facilitate the administration of the country by the Interim Government, the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia adopted on 6th January 1986;

fully cooperate with the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee, the ECOWAS Executive Secretary and the ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group for the effective maintenance of the ceasefire and the restoration of law and order.

The Interim Government shall unban all political parties and facilitate the 'return of all refugees and political exiles

ARTICLE II:

CEASEFIRE MONITORING GROUP

In order to arrive at a peaceful and lasting settlement of the dispute, ECOWAS shall establish, under the authority of the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and under the command of an ECOWAS Member State, a Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to be composed of military contingents drawn from the Member States of the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee as well as from Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The Ceasefire Monitoring Group shall be under the command of a Force Commander appointed by the Committee.

He shall be entrusted with powers to conduct military operations for the purpose of Monitoring the ceasefire, restoring law and order to create the necessary conditions for free and fair elections to be held In Liberia.

The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall be assigned the function of assisting the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee in supervising the implementation and in ensuring the strict compliance by the parties with the provisions of the ceasefire throughout the territory of Liberia.

The Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) shall remain in Liberia, if necessary, until the successful holding of general elections and the installation of an elected government.

The Executive Secretary shall establish rules and regulations for the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) after consultation with the Chairman of the Authority.

The Executive Secretary is hereby authorised to appoint a Special Representative and other supporting staff for the operations in Liberia.

The Special Representative shall work in close collaboration with the Forces Commander and assist in carrying out the ECOWAS operations in Liberia.

ARTICLE III:

FINANCE OF THE OPERATIONS

All expenses relating to the operations of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group shall be drawn from the Special Emergency Fund created by Decision A/DEC.3/8/90 of the ECOWAS Standing Mediation Committee.

ARTICLE IV:

COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS

The operations of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group in Liberia shall commence forthwith,

ARTICLE V:

APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The Committee appeals to all members of the international Community not to assist any of the warring parties in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of the ceasefire and the holding of general and presidential elections.

ARTICLE VI:

FINAL PROVISIONS

The ECOWAS Executive Secretary shall be responsible for the proper implementation and application of this Decision which shall enter into force upon signature and shall be published in the Official Journal of the Community and in the National Gazette of each Member State.

DONE AT BANJUL THIS 7TH DAY OF AUGUST 1990.

H. E. DAWDA KAIRABA JAWARA

CHAIRMAN

ECOWAS STANDING MEDIATION COMMITTEE

FOR THE AUTHORITY