The United Nations Security Council has voted on the resolution S/2012/707 extending the mandate of its Mission in Liberia for a period of one year.

The resolution among other things emphasizes the responsibility of the Government of Liberia to maintain security and to best utilize the available resources to ensure internal security. On the other hand, the resolution reaffirms the UNMIL continuous commitment and primary task to support the Government towards solidifying peace and stability in Liberia and to protect the civilians.

Also, the resolution calls on the UNMIL to take necessary steps to support where applicable, the Government's effort to achieve a successful transition by helping to strengthen capacity of the Liberian National Police, improve training g programs in order to expedite their readiness to assume security responsibilities. The UNMIL is to coordinate these efforts with all partners, including the Government of Liberia, the National leadership, and donor partners.

Furthermore, the resolution urges the Government to make progress in transition planning process with the view to addressing the critical gaps that need to be filled in order to facilitate a successful transition. It calls on the Government to prioritize issues of human rights, reconciliation, strengthen democratic institutions as well as challenges emanating from the border security, and the extension of state authority and services throughout the country.

While the resolution endorses the Secretary General's recommendation, it decided to increase the number of the UNMIL's authorized formed police units by three additional units, totaling 420 personnel, from its current strength of seven formed police units, totaling 1,375 personnel, for a new authorized ceiling of 1,9795. According to the resolution, the deployment of such additional units shall commence by January 2013.

In addition, the resolution emphasized that future configurations of UNMIL should be determined on the basis of the evolution of the situation on the ground and on the achievement of an improved capacity of the Government of Liberia to effectively protect the population through the establishment of sustainable and effective security forces with a view to progressively take over UNMIL's security role.

It further emphasizes that in order for the transition planning process to be sustainable, it must take into account broad challenges, including governance and the rule of as well as the political context. In this regard, the resolution calls on the UNMIL to make the appropriate internal adjustment and, at the request of the Government of Liberia, and consistent with its mandate, support the people and the Government in taking forward the identified priorities, including national reconciliation, constitutional reform and decentralization as well as enhancing its support for security sector and rule of law reforms

At the same time, the resolution recognizes that "this transition will require qualified specialist advisors to assist and support the SGRS in working with the Government of Liberia to meet transition goals, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that UNMIL has the requisite qualified specialist advisors who have the professional skills and experience appropriate to this transition phase in order to enhance mentoring in priority areas, as outlined in the Secretary-General's report.

Meanwhile, the resolution urges both the Government of Liberia and Cote d' Ivoire to continue to enhance their cooperation, particularly with respect to the border areas through the information exchanges, conduct coordinated actions, develop and implement share border in order to support the disarmament and repatriation of foreign armed elements on both sides of the border and voluntary return of refugees.

Written by Abu Kamara

Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs

Permanent Mission of Liberia to UN