Mechanism for Returning Liberia to the Abuja Agreement

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Country/entity: Liberia
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Mechanism for Returning Liberia to the Abuja Agreement
Date: 8 May 1996
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: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Liberia peace process
Parties: -
Third parties: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Description: This agreement details an ECOWAS plan and conditions to return the warring parties in Liberia to adherence to the terms of the Abuja Agreement. Issues covered include calls for a ceasefire, deployment of an ECOWAS Monitoring Group, transitional governance issues, DDR, and democratisation.

Agreement document: LR_960508_Mechanism for returning Liberia to the Abuja Agreement.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: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 1, B. THE JOHNSON ISSUE, 3: Ensure the respect and equal treatment of all ethnic groups in Liberia.
Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Substantive
Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 3: Verifiable disarmament by all factions along with the creation of a new Armed Forces of Liberia on a non-tribal basis and with contribution of personnel from all factions.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 3: Arrange for the early return to their homes or countries of refugees and internally displaced persons.
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): No specific mention.
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, B. THE JOHNSON ISSUE, 1: Re-establish the Authority and cohesiveness of the Council of State of Liberia in particular and the Liberian National Transitional Government (LNTG) in general as outlined in the Abuja Agreement and the other Agreements preceding it.

Page 1, B. THE JOHNSON ISSUE, 2: Ensure reconciliation in and inclusiveness of Government throughout the transitional period.

Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 2: Necessary constitutional changes to allow for proportional representation in the formation of national government.
Elections: Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 4: Resumption of political campaigns throughout the country in preparation for elections.

Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 5: Ensure necessary institutional preparations for the holding and monitoring of free and fair elections throughout Liberia.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 2: Necessary constitutional changes to allow for proportional representation in the formation of national government.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: Power sharing→Political power sharing→General
State level
Page 1, B. THE JOHNSON ISSUE, 2: Ensure reconciliation in and inclusiveness of Government throughout the transitional period.

Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 2: Necessary constitutional changes to allow for proportional representation in the formation of national government.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 2: The immediate withdrawal of armed fighters from Monrovia simultaneously with the completion of the deployment of ECOMOG throughout the city.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 3: Verifiable disarmament by all factions along with the creation of a new Armed Forces of Liberia on a non-tribal basis and with contribution of personnel from all factions.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 4: Training of trainers of the new Armed Forces of Liberia.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Liberty and security of person
Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 4: Return of properties to their rightful owners and ensuring the freedom of all citizens from arbitrary arrests and abduction by armed elements.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: Rights related issues→Citizenship→Citizens, specific rights
Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 4. Return of properties to their rightful owners and ensuring the freedom of all citizens from arbitrary arrests and abduction by armed elements.
Democracy: Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 1: Create the necessary atmosphere for the restoration of democracy in the country by ensuring the re-opening of newspapers and radio stations
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 2, D. DEMOCRATISATION, 1: Create the necessary atmosphere for the restoration of democracy in the country by ensuring the re-opening of newspapers and radio stations
Mobility/access: Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 6: Return of vehicles and equipment seized or looted from UNOMIL, United Nations and other Humanitarian Agencies in Liberia.
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: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 6: Return of vehicles and equipment seized or looted from UNOMIL, United Nations and other Humanitarian Agencies in Liberia.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Property return and restitution
Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 4. Return of properties to their rightful owners and ensuring the freedom of all citizens from arbitrary arrests and abduction by armed elements.
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
Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 1: All parties must ensure the strict observance by their armed fighters of the cease-fire demanded by the Chairman of ECOWAS throughout Liberia

Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 7: The employment of the Cease-fire Violations Monitoring Committee to oversee the observance of the cease-fire.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 2: The immediate withdrawal of armed fighters from Monrovia simultaneously with the completion of the deployment of ECOMOG throughout the city.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 3: Verifiable disarmament by all factions along with the creation of a new Armed Forces of Liberia on a non-tribal basis and with contribution of personnel from all factions.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 4: Training of trainers of the new Armed Forces of Liberia.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 3: The removal of all arms and ammunition from Monrovia, to be verified by ECOMOG and UNOMIL, and the reinstatement of Monrovia to the status of a Safe Haven.

Page 1, B. THE JOHNSON ISSUE, 5: The provision of safe conduct out of the Barclay Training Centre (BTC) of armed elements of ULIMO-J and LPC to agreed areas outside Monrovia and the immediate disarming of armed AFL soldiers at the BTC.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 1: Revitalisation of plans for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Re-integration.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 2: Immediate implementation of proportional disarmament among the various factions to correspond with the number of troops disarmed at the BTC.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 3: Verifiable disarmament by all factions along with the creation of a new Armed Forces of Liberia on a non-tribal basis and with contribution of personnel from all factions.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 4: Training of trainers of the new Armed Forces of Liberia.

Page 1, C. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION, 5: Implementation of Plans for re-integrating former armed fighters into Liberian society.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 2: The immediate withdrawal of armed fighters from Monrovia simultaneously with the completion of the deployment of ECOMOG throughout the city.

Page 1, B. THE JOHNSON ISSUE, 4: Issue of an appropriate statement by General Roosevelt Johnson indicating his satisfaction with and preparedness to work along the lines of the present mechanism for peace and stability in Liberia.
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: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, B. THE JOHNSON ISSUE, 2: Ensure reconciliation in and inclusiveness of Government throughout the transitional period.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 2: The immediate withdrawal of armed fighters from Monrovia simultaneously with the completion of the deployment of ECOMOG throughout the city.

Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 3: The removal of all arms and ammunition from Monrovia, to be verified by ECOMOG and UNOMIL, and the reinstatement of Monrovia to the status of a Safe Haven.

Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 5: Return of all arms seized from ECOMOG troops during the attack on them in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, in December, 1995.

Page 1, A. MONROVIA, 6: Return of vehicles and equipment seized or looted from UNOMIL, United Nations and other Humanitarian Agencies in Liberia.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 2, Untitled concluding paragraph: The mechanism outlined above for implementation by the government and people of Liberia will be closely monitored by the ECOWAS Committee of Nine of Liberia to assess the commitment of Liberians to the peace process and to also determine, at the next ECOWAS Summit Meeting the continuation or otherwise of the involvement of ECOWAS in the Liberian peace process.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Official Journal of the ECOWAS, Vol. 22, 1997

MECHANISM FOR RETURNING LIBERIA TO THE ABUJA AGREEMENT

Following the consensus reached by the Ministerial meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Nine of Liberia that the only workable solution to the present crisis in Liberia is to return the country to the implementation of the Abuja Peace Plan, the Meeting requests all parties to immediately implement the following mechanism for reinstating the peace process in Liberia

A. MONROVIA

All parties must ensure the strict observance by their armed fighters of the cease-fire demanded by the Chairman of ECOWAS throughout Liberia

The immediate withdrawal of armed fighters from Monrovia simultaneously with the completion of the deployment of ECOMOG throughout the city.

The removal of all arms and ammunition from Monrovia, to be verified by ECOMOG and UNOMIL, and the reinstatement of Monrovia to the status of a Safe Haven.

Return of properties to their rightful owners and ensuring the freedom of all citizens from arbitrary arrests and abduction by armed elements.

Return of all arms seized from ECOMOG troops during the attack on them in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, in December, 1995.

Return of vehicles and equipment seized or looted from UNOMIL, United Nations and other Humanitarian Agencies in Liberia.

The employment of the Cease-fire Violations Monitoring Committee to oversee the observance of the cease-fire.

B.THE JOHNSON ISSUE

Re-establish the Authority and cohesiveness of the Council of State of Liberia in particular and the Liberian National Transitional Government (LNTG) in general as outlined in the Abuja Agreement and the other Agreements preceding it.

Ensure reconciliation in and inclusiveness of Government throughout the transitional period.

Ensure the respect and equal treatment of all ethnic groups in Liberia.

Issue of an appropriate statement by General Roosevelt Johnson indicating his satisfaction with and preparedness to work along the lines of the present mechanism for peace and stability in Liberia.

The provision of safe conduct out of the Barclay Training Centre (BTC) of armed elements of ULIMO-J and LPC to agreed areas outside Monrovia and the immediate disarming of armed AFL soldiers at the BTC.

C.DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION, AND REINTEGRATION

Revitalisation of plans for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Re-integration.

Immediate implementation of proportional disarmament among the various factions to correspond with the number of troops disarmed at the BTC.

Verifiable disarmament by all factions along with the creation of a new Armed Forces of Liberia on a non-tribal basis and with contribution of personnel from all factions.

Training of trainers of the new Armed Forces of Liberia.

Implementation of Plans for re-integrating former armed fighters into Liberian society.

D.DEMOCRATISATION

Create the necessary atmosphere for the restoration of democracy in the country by ensuring the re-opening of newspapers and radio stations

Necessary constitutional changes to allow for proportional representation in the formation of national government.

Arrange for the early return to their homes or countries of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Resumption of political campaigns throughout the country in preparation for elections.

Ensure necessary institutional preparations for the holding and monitoring of free and fair elections throughout Liberia.

The mechanism outlined above for implementation by the government and people of Liberia will be closely monitored by the ECOWAS Committee of Nine of Liberia to assess the commitment of Liberians to the peace process and to also determine, at the next ECOWAS Summit Meeting the continuation or otherwise of the involvement of ECOWAS in the Liberian peace process.