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

• 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) )
• 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 | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

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