Security Council adjusts mandate of Liberian mission.

• Position: UNOMIL

The Security Council on 10 November adjusted the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) to include investigation of alleged cease-fire violations, monitoring of compliance with other military provisions of the peace agreements, and verification of the election process, in consultation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Under the terms of the adjusted mandate, UNOMIL will also: assist in the maintenance of assembly sites and in the implementation of a programme for demobilization of combatants; support humanitarian assistance activities; investigate and report on human rights violations; and exercise its good offices to support the efforts of ECOWAS and the Liberian National Transitional Government (LNTG) to implement the peace agreements.

As it unanimously adopted resolution 1020 (1995), the Council also decided that the maximum number of military observers should be 160. It also called on the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to take the necessary action to provide security for UNOMIL observers and civilian staff. It stressed the need for close contacts and enhanced coordination between UNOMIL and ECOMOG at all levels.

Expressing concern over the cease-fire violations and delays in the process of disengagement of forces, the Council urged the LNTG to avoid further violations and maintain the momentum of the peace process. The Council demanded that all factions in Liberia strictly respect the status of ECOMOG and UNOMIL personnel, as well as organizations and agencies delivering humanitarian assistance throughout Liberia. It further demanded that those factions facilitate such deliveries and strictly abide by applicable rules of international humanitarian law.

In an 18 December progress report (S/1995/1042), Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said the implementation of the 1995 Abuja Agreement was behind schedule, and the critical aspects of disarmament and demobilization were not likely to begin before January 1996. While that was a cause for concern, the delay should be seen in the context of the implementation timetable, which might have underestimated the delays involved in deploying the necessary personnel and equipment. The provision of logistical support for ECOMOG was especially complicated since it was essentially provided on a voluntary basis from non-ECOWAS countries.

Every effort had to be made to avoid further delays and all...