Mechanism for Returning Liberia to the Abuja Agreement

• 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) )
• Stage

  Implementation/renegotiation
• Conflict nature

  Government
• Peace process

  Liberia peace process
• Parties

  -
• Third parties

  -
• 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 | 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

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.