JOINT ASSEMBLY OF THE CONVENTION CONCLUED BETWEEN THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (ACP-EC)

RESOLUTION () on the situation in Liberia

The ACP-EU Joint Assembly,

- meeting in Luxembourg from 23 to 26 September 1996,

A. recalling its previous resolutions on the civil war situation in Liberia that has disrupted social and economic life since 1992,

B. deeply concerned by the continued instability in Liberia, mainly caused by the rivalry among the warring warlords, despite the August 1996 Abuja Agreement agreed and signed by all parties to the conflict,

C. whereas the power struggle among the warring factions' leaders has disrupted the interim peace programme and continues to cause enormous human suffering and the flight of refugees, who find it almost impossible to be accepted in neighbouring countries which are suffering from refugee fatigue,

D. recalling the numerous peace plans of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) for Liberia,

E. having reviewed the situation as regards the implementation of the Abuja Agreement of 17 August 1996, which was designed to usher in peace and lead to the organization of free and fair democratic elections by 30 May 1997,

F. expressing concern that the 6 April 1996 crisis has contributed to more destruction in the country and has further derailed the fragile peace process,

G. whereas Ruth Perry has been appointed head of the Liberian Council of State,

H. noting with deep concern the delay on the part of the warring factions in disarming their fighters,

I. convinced that genuine peace and security can be achieved in Liberia only through comprehensive disarmament,

1. Welcomes the initiatives of Ecowas in restoring peace in Liberia and commends the peacekeeping force Ecomog in restoring Monrovia and its environs to safe haven status since the 6 April 1996 crisis;

2. Notes with satisfaction the timetable finalized by Ecowas to promote the restoration of peace and democracy in Liberia;

3. Calls on all faction leaders to respect in full each of the stages that should lead to the election of a new President in May 1997;

4. Calls on the EU to honour its pledge to provide urgently needed logistics to enable Ecomog to carry out its mandate of restoring peace under the terms of the Abuja Agreement;

5. Calls on all parties to the conflict to cease all hostilities, drop their weapons and abide by the interim arrangement which is intended to bring peace, stability and democracy to Liberia and will allow refugees to return home;

6. Commends the peace efforts by the regional countries of West Africa and insists that they must continue pressurizing the warlords in Liberia to abide by the agreed terms of the peace accord that should lead to establishing a democratic process;

7. Urges all the warring factions to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, thereby cooperating with the UN, Ecowas and the NGOs to facilitate the safe delivery of relief food to starving civilians throughout the country;

8. Invites the Council of the European Union to do everything possible to support the peace plan and encourage national reconciliation in Liberia;

9. Urges the international community, and in particular the European Union, to mobilize the resources necessary to meet the humanitarian needs of the Liberian people, both within the country and in the neighbouring countries that have received large numbers of refugees;

10. Calls on the European Union to implement a vast programme of technical and financial assistance designed to encourage and accompany the disarmament and demobilization of combatants, which are essential preconditions for lasting peace and security;

11. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the Secretaries-General of the OAU and the UN, and the Liberian authorities.