Security Council resolution 2333 (2016) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) until 30 Mar. 2018]
Symbol: S/RES/2333 (2016)
Date: 2016-12-23
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/71 [90] UN MISSION IN LIBERIA
S/71 [89] LIBERIA SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Liberia.
Subjects: UN Mission in Liberia|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|LIBERIA SITUATION|LIBERIA
Votes in favour: 12
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 3
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: EGYPT
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: abstention
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: abstention
country: SENEGAL
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UKRAINE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: abstention
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: URUGUAY
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                    S/RES/2333 (2016)
               Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                                 23 December 2016




               Resolution 2333 (2016)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7851st meeting, on
               23 December 2016

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular 1509 (2003), 2066 (2012),
               2116 (2013), 2177 (2014), 2190 (2014), 2215 (2015), 2237 (2015), 2239 (2015) and
               2308 (2016) concerning the situation in Liberia, and 2162 (2014), 2226 (2015) and
               2295 (2016),
                     Affirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial
               integrity and unity of Liberia and recalling the principles of good-neighbourliness,
               non-interference and regional cooperation,
                     Welcoming the overall progress toward restoring peace, security and stability
               in Liberia, and commending the successful completion of the transfer of security
               responsibilities from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to Liberia’s
               security services on 30 June 2016 and the commitment of the people and
               Government of Liberia to peace and to developing democratic processes and
               institutions and initiating important reform efforts,
                    Affirming that the Government of Liberia bears primary responsibility for
               ensuring peace, stability and the protection of the civilian population in Liberia and
               for reforming and building the capacity of the security sector, particularly the
               Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS),
                     Stressing that lasting stability in Liberia will require the Government of
               Liberia to sustain well-functioning and accountable government institutions,
               especially in the security and justice sectors, to build the confidence of the people of
               Liberia, and urging the Government of Liberia to demonstrate substantive progress
               in the reform, restructuring and effective functioning of the security and justice
               sectors to provide for the protection of all the people of Liberia,
                     Noting the potential security challenges during the preparation for, and the
               period leading up to, October 2017 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia,
               urging the Government of Liberia to accelerate efforts to resolve longstanding land
               rights, reconciliation, accountability and transparency matters to bolster public
               confidence in its government in advance of Liberia’s scheduled 2017 presidential




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               and legislative elections and transfer of power, and stressing the need for the
               Government of Liberia to build on the successful transfer of security
               responsibilities, completed on 30 June 2016, to its security forces in preparation for
               both the conduct and outcome of elections, and calling on international partners to
               support the Liberian authorities in ensuring the credibility of those elections,
               including through the deployment of international electoral observers,
                     Looking forward to a comprehensive, inclusive constitutional review process
               as well as the implementation of the National Reconciliation Roadmap, and urging
               efforts to strengthen the Independent National Commission on Human Rights,
               which has a key role as a publicly accessible human rights institution and a s a
               mechanism to monitor and follow up on the implementation of the
               recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,
                     Emphasizing the integral role of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in
               evaluating the human rights situation in Liberia as it meets its commitments
               outlined in the country recommendations for Liberia from its 2015 Universal
               Periodic Review,
                     Stressing that the responsibility for the preparation, security and conduct of
               free, fair and transparent 2017 presidential and legislative elections rests with the
               Liberian authorities,
                    Noting with concern the potential for conflict over Liberia’s natural resources
               and disputes related to land ownership, and also noting that issues related to
               corruption continue to threaten to undermine stability and the effectiveness of
               government institutions,
                    Commending the continued efforts of the Government of Liberia to strengthen
               security cooperation in the sub-region, notably with the governments of Côte
               d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone,
                    Expressing appreciation for the continued assistance provided by the people
               and Government of Liberia to Ivorian refugees in eastern Liberia and toward their
               voluntary repatriation to Côte d’Ivoire,
                    Commending the continued contribution, commitment and resolve of United
               Nations personnel, as well as of the troop- and police-contributing countries of
               UNMIL, to assist in consolidating peace and stability in Liberia,
                     Expressing appreciation to the international community for its support to
               consolidate peace, security and stability in Liberia, welcoming, in particular, the
               contributions of bilateral partners and multilateral organizations, as well as the
               Peacebuilding Commission, to support Liberia’s efforts on sec urity sector reform,
               rule of law and national reconciliation, strongly encouraging the continued
               contributions of the international community in this regard, including the full
               implementation of the Statement of Mutual Commitments, recognizing that key
               peacebuilding priorities must be fully integrated into Liberia’s development
               strategy, including revitalizing socioeconomic development, and emphasizing the
               need for coherence between, and integration of, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and
               development to achieve an effective response to post-conflict situations,




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                Recognizing the significant challenges that remain across all sectors, including
           continuing problems with violent crime, in particular the high rates of sexual and
           gender-based violence, especially involving children,
                 Recalling its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009),
           1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013) and 2242 (2015) on women, peace and
           security, and emphasizing that persistent barriers to the full implementation of
           resolution 1325 (2000) will only be dismantled through dedicated commitment to
           women’s empowerment, participation and human rights and accountability for acts
           of sexual and gender-based violence and through concerted leadership, consistent
           information and action and support to build women’s engagement in all levels of
           decision-making,
                Taking note of the 15 November 2016 report of the Secretary-General
           (S/2016/968) and the recommendations contained therein on the adjustments to the
           mandate and composition of UNMIL in line with the scheduled 2017 elections and
           2018 transfer of power,
                Mindful of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international
           peace and security under the Charter of the United Nations,
                Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

           Governance, National Reconciliation, Rule of Law, and Security Sector Reform
                 1.    Calls upon the Government of Liberia to prioritize national
           reconciliation and economic recovery, to combat corruption and to promote
           efficiency and good governance, in particular by continuing to strengthen
           transparency and accountability, including by effectively managing Liberia’s natural
           resources for the benefit of all the people of Liberia, emphasizes the importance of
           pursuing a national reconciliation and social cohesion strategy through concrete
           measures to promote national healing, justice and reconciliation at all levels and
           involving all Liberian stakeholders, and recognizes the efforts of the Government of
           Liberia to support enhancement of the participation of women in conflict
           prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, including in decision -making
           roles in post-conflict governance institutions and the broad range of reform efforts;
                2.    Stresses the responsibility of and the need for the Liberian government to
           prepare for 2017 elections, including through support for electoral institutions, calls
           upon all parties to ensure that the elections are free, fair, peaceful and transparent,
           including through the full participation of women, and requests the Special
           Representative of the Secretary-General to assist the Liberian parties to this end;
                 3.   Emphasizes that the Government of Liberia bears primary and ultimate
           responsibility for security and the protection of its population with special attention
           to combatting sexual and gender-based violence and combatting impunity for
           perpetrators of such crimes, and urges the Government to prioritize the effective and
           rapid development of the security agencies, especially the LNP, which is the priority
           law enforcement agency tasked with civilian policing responsibilities, including
           through the timely provision of sufficient financial resources and other support,
           adequate training and development of senior management;




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                    4.    Emphasizes the need for expanded efforts by the Liberian authorities to
               address the root causes of conflict, reinvigorate national and local reconciliation
               processes, promote land reform, advance constitutional and institutional reforms,
               especially of the rule of law and security sectors, combat sexual and gender-based
               violence, and build trust between Liberian citizens and state institutions and
               processes, and requests the Special Representative of the Secretary -General to assist
               such efforts through the use of his good offices and political support;
                     5.    Urges the Government of Liberia to prioritize resourcing for critical gaps
               to improve the capacity and capability of the LNP and LIS, as well as the justice
               sector, including courts and prisons, enabling the promotion of human rights and
               reconciliation, effective oversight, professionalism, transparency and accountability
               across all security institutions and strengthening democratic institutions and
               extension of state authority and services throughout the countr y for the benefit of all
               Liberians;
                    6.    Calls on the Government of Liberia to accelerate its efforts to enhance
               the capacity of its security sector, especially the leadership, coordination,
               monitoring, resources and oversight mechanisms, as well as to swif tly and fully
               implement the new Police and Immigration Acts and further reform of the
               promotion and manpower policies, with a view to decentralizing the national
               security institutions, particularly the LNP, to provide security for all people
               throughout Liberia, and urges the Government of Liberia to accelerate efforts to
               implement measures on the proper management of arms and ammunition, including
               enacting the appropriate domestic laws, the effective monitoring and management of
               Liberia’s border regions and the registering and tracking of arms and material used
               and imported by its security forces;
                     7.    Underscores the importance of the Government of Liberia continuing to
               develop national security and rule of law institutions that are fully and
               independently operational, and to this end, encourages accelerated coordinated
               progress on the implementation of the Security and Justice Development Plans and
               the National Human Rights Action Plan, and urges the effective, transparent and
               efficient management by the Government of Liberia of assistance, including from
               bilateral and multilateral partners, to support the reform of the justice and security
               sectors;
                     8.   Emphasizes the important role of women in the prevention and resolution
               of conflicts and in peacebuilding, as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000),
               underlines that a gender perspective should be taken into account in implementing
               all aspects of the mandate of UNMIL, encourages UNMIL to work with the
               Government of Liberia in this area until its closure and requests the Secretary-General and other relevant actors to ensure that transition planning and
               implementation fully integrates a gender perspective and to include in reporting to
               the Council progress in this area and all other aspects relating to the situation of
               women and girls, especially regarding protection from sexual and gender -based
               violence;
                     9.   Expresses its continued concern that women and girls in Liberia continue
               to face a high incidence of sexual and gender-based violence, reiterates its call on
               the Government of Liberia to continue to combat sexual violence, particularly
               against children, and gender-based violence, to combat impunity for perpetrators of




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           such crimes, to provide redress, support and protection to victims, including through
           public information campaigns and by continuing to strengthen national police
           capacity in this area and to raise awareness of existing national legislation on sexual
           violence, and encourages the Government to reinforce its commitment in this
           regard, including by funding the implementation of its national action plan on
           sexual and gender-based violence and improving women and girls’ access to justice;
           UNMIL Mandate
                 10. Decides to extend the mandate of UNMIL as set out in paragraph 11 for a
           final period until 30 March 2018, and requests the Secretary-General to complete by
           30 April 2018 the withdrawal of all uniformed and civilian UNMIL components,
           other than those required to complete the Mission’s liquidation;
                11. Decides that until 30 March 2018, the mandate of UNMIL shall be the
           following:
                (a)   Protection of Civilians
                      (i) To protect the civilian population from threat of physical violence
                      within its capabilities and areas of deployment, particularly in the event
                      of a deterioration of the security situation that could risk a strategic
                      reversal of peace and stability in the country, without prejudice to the
                      primary responsibility of the Liberian authorities for the security a nd
                      protection of its population;
                (b)   Reform of Justice and Security Institutions
                      (i) To advise the Government of Liberia in developing the leadership,
                      internal management, professionalization and accountability mechanisms
                      of the LNP, with a particular focus on elections security;
                (c)   Human Rights Promotion and Protection
                      (i) To support the Government of Liberia in carrying out promotion,
                      protection and monitoring activities of human rights in Liberia, with
                      special attention to violations and abuses co mmitted against children and
                      women;
                      (ii) To support the strengthening of efforts by the Government of
                      Liberia to combat sexual and gender-based violence, including its efforts
                      to combat impunity for perpetrators of such crimes;
                (d)   Public Information
                      (i) To continue to communicate, including through UNMIL Radio,
                      with the people and Government of Liberia to promote sustainable peace
                      through the October 2017 elections and 2018 transfer of power and also
                      to raise awareness about UNMIL’s transformation, eventual closure and
                      the United Nations’ continuing engagement in Liberia;
                (e)   Protection of United Nations Personnel
                      (i) To protect the United Nations personnel, installations and
                      equipment and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of
                      United Nations and associated personnel;




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                     12. Authorizes UNMIL to assist as requested and within its capabilities,
               bearing in mind the responsibility of the Liberian Government, with logistical
               support, including aviation support, to meet urgent gaps in Liberia’s ca pabilities for
               the 2017 presidential and legislative electoral process, including voter registration,
               in particular to facilitate access to remote areas;
                     13. Requests the Secretary-General prepare a report for the Security Council
               within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution that sets out a well-developed
               peacebuilding plan to direct the role of the United Nations system and other relevant
               partners, including multilateral and bilateral actors, in supporting Liberia’s
               transition, emphasizes in this regard the important convening role of the
               Peacebuilding Commission in the process of developing this plan, further requests
               that UNMIL work closely with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and its
               component United Nations agencies to implement the results of the UNCT’s
               mapping exercise to identify ways to address gaps in capabilities to accelerate
               preparations for UNMIL’s drawdown and closure, in particular the transfer of
               UNMIL’s tasks on human rights monitoring, rule of law, national reconciliation and
               security sector reform to the government and the UNCT to ensure continued
               progress in those areas, urges the Government of Liberia, UNMIL, and the UNCT to
               coordinate closely in the transfer of these responsibilities, and encourages the
               international community and donors to support the activities of the UNCT in
               assisting Liberia’s continued efforts to achieve sustainable peace;
                     14. Requests the Secretary-General direct UNMIL with support of
               international partners to facilitate the sustainable transfer of UNM IL Radio’s
               capabilities and equipment by 30 March 2018 to an independent entity;
                    15. Requests UNMIL to ensure that any support provided to non-United
               Nations security forces is provided in strict compliance with the Human Rights Due
               Diligence Policy on United Nations Support to non-United Nations Security Forces
               (S/2013/110);

               Force Structure
                     16. Decides to reduce UNMIL’s remaining 1,240 military personnel to a
               ceiling of 434, comprising one company and appropriate enablers, including
               aviation assets, and to decrease UNMIL’s authorized police strength to 310 police
               personnel, including two formed police units and individual police officers required
               for the implementation of the mandate, by 28 February 2017;
                     17. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the police component has
               the requisite professional skills and experience to develop the leadership, internal
               management, professionalization and accountability mechanisms of the LNP;

               Regional and Inter-Mission Cooperation
                     18. Calls on the Governments of Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire to continue
               reinforcing their cooperation, particularly with respect to the border area, including
               through increased monitoring, information sharing, and coordinated action s, and in
               implementing the shared border strategy to, inter alia, support the disarmament and
               repatriation of armed elements on both sides of the border and the voluntary return




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           of refugees in safety and dignity, as well as to address the root causes of co nflict
           and tension;
                19. Recalls the intention to transfer the United Nations Operation in Côte
           d’Ivoire (UNOCI) quick reaction force established by resolution 2162 (2014) and as
           defined in paragraph 41 of resolution 2295 (2016) to the United Nations
           Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) where it
           will continue to support UNMIL as defined in paragraph 33 of resolution 2226
           (2015), while recognizing that this unit will become primarily a MINUSMA asset;
                 20. Recalls its authorization, pursuant to its resolutions 2162 (2014) and
           2226 (2015), to the Secretary-General to deploy this unit to Liberia, subject to the
           consent of the troop-contributing countries concerned and the Government of
           Liberia, in the event of a serious deterioration of the security situation on the ground
           in order to temporarily reinforce UNMIL with the sole purpose of implementing its
           mandate and further recalls its requests to the Secretary-General to inform the
           Security Council immediately of any deployment of this unit to Liberia and to
           obtain Security Council authorization for any such deployment for a period that
           exceeds 90 days;
                 21. Requests the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed of the
           situation in Liberia and the implementation of the mandate of UNMIL and to
           provide a report on the situation on the ground and implementation of this
           resolution no later than 15 June 2017, with an oral update for the Security Council
           on elections preparation no later than 31 August 2017 and another oral update after
           elections no later than 15 December 2017, with a concluding report by 15 April
           2018;
                22.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.




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