United Nations Security Council Resolution 1607, adopted unanimously on 21 June 2005, after recalling all previous
resolutions on the situation in
Liberia, the Council extended the embargo on Liberian diamonds for a further six months.
Resolution
Observations
The security council recognised the link between the illegal exploitation of resources such as diamonds and timber, illicit
arms trafficking
Arms trafficking or gunrunning is the illicit trade of contraband small arms and ammunition, which constitutes part of a broad range of illegal activities often associated with transnational criminal organizations. The illegal trade of small arm ...
and the conflicts in West Africa, particularly in Liberia. In this regard, it noted that measures imposed in
Resolution 1521 (2003) were intended to stop fueling the conflict.
The preamble of the resolution also expressed concern that former President
Charles Taylor and close associates were engaging in activities that were undermining peace and stability in the region. It noted the completion of the
disarmament
Disarmament is the act of reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons. Disarmament generally refers to a country's military or specific type of weaponry. Disarmament is often taken to mean total elimination of weapons of mass destruction, such as ...
and
demobilisation
Demobilization or demobilisation (see spelling differences) is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and milit ...
processes, respect for the
ceasefire
A ceasefire (also known as a truce or armistice), also spelled cease fire (the antonym of 'open fire'), is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be between state act ...
, and implementation of a peace agreement. There was concern that the transitional government had limited control over some areas of the country and continuing challenges.
Acts
Acting under
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the council decided to renew sanctions against Liberia relating to diamonds, while reiterating that it would lift the measures once the transitional government had met its conditions, including establishing a
certificate of origin
A Certificate of Origin or Declaration of Origin (often abbreviated to C/O, CO or DOO) is a document widely used in international trade transactions which attests that the product listed therein has met certain criteria to be considered as origina ...
regime.
The transitional government was urged to undertake
forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. ...
reforms and advice on its management of timber and diamonds. Financial sanctions against Charles Taylor imposed in
Resolution 1532 (2004) would remain in place and all states were reminded to implement all sanctions.
Meanwhile, a five-member expert panel appointed pursuant to
Resolution 1549 (2004) by the
Secretary-General
Secretary is a title often used in organizations to indicate a person having a certain amount of authority, power, or importance in the organization. Secretaries announce important events and communicate to the organization. The term is derived ...
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan (; 8 April 193818 August 2018) was a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. Annan and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. He was the founde ...
was re-established until 21 December 2005, to monitor the implementation and impact of the sanctions.
The panel would report on whether Liberia had met the conditions for the lifting of the sanctions.
It was also necessary that the
United Nations Mission in Liberia
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was a peacekeeping operation established in September 2003 to monitor a ceasefire agreement in Liberia following the resignation of President Charles Taylor and the conclusion of the Second Liberia ...
(UNMIL), the committee established by Resolution 1521 and the expert panel continue to monitor the implementation of the measures and any violations, and the transitional government in its recruitment and movement of ex-combatants.
See also
*
(2005–2006)
*
Second Liberian Civil War
References
External links
*
Text of the Resolution at undocs.org
{{UNSCR 2005
1607
1607
2005 in Liberia
June 2005 events