UN FOCUS...with armed criminals, hostage situations, terrorist activities, riot control and to engage in anti-crime patrols. For the first time in 15 years, Liberia this year features

Vol. 6, No. 01 September - November 2009UN FOCUS

ERU Passes Halfway MarkYet Another Milestone

Village Enterprise

ERU Passes Halfway MarkYet Another Milestone

Village Enterprise

Message from the Special Representativeof the Secretary-General

Ellen Margrethe LøjSpecial Representative of the Secretary-Generaland Coordinator of United Nations Operations in Liberia

2 UN FOCUS September - November 2009

In September, the SecurityCouncil extended the mandate ofthe UN Mission in Liberia foranother year and endorsedSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s proposals for a continued andphased troop reduction in view of theprogress in consolidating peace in thecountry. The Security Council alsoagreed to maintain UNMIL’s currentpolice levels. The extension gives usone more year to work hard and makefurther progress in the implementationof our mandate in support of Liberia’srecovery.

A continued priority area for theGovernment of Liberia and UNMIL interms of durable security and stabilityin the country is the development ofnational security and rule of law insti-tutions that are fully and independentlyoperational. The law enforcement andjudicial agencies must evolve to berobust and professional enough to dealpromptly with law and order challengesand widespread impunity. Rule of lawagencies must also work to regain theconfidence of the Liberian society. Tohighlight these critical challenges andfunding gaps that must be addressed inthe rule of law sector, the UN assistedthe Government of Liberia to presentsecurity and justice sector strategicplans to international partners at theUN Headquarters in September.

While renewing UNMIL’s mandate,the Security Council has also requested

UNMIL to provide support to Liberianinstitutions for the conduct of 2011national elections. The SecurityCouncil stressed that the responsibilityfor the preparation and conduct of elec-tions rests with the Liberian authorities,while the UN will assist with coordina-tion of international electoral assistanceand facilitate the creation of a con-ducive and positive atmosphere forpeaceful elections. The recentMontserrado by-election has revealedthe challenges that lay ahead of us inensuring a smooth and credible polls;and it also enabled us to appreciate thatpreparations need to commence withoutfurther delay. I therefore call forspeedy conclusion of action on criticallegislation that is needed to keep theelectoral timetable on schedule for2011.

The success of Liberia’s peaceprocess will depend on a combinationof efforts that address security, econom-ic and social development, and respectfor human rights. Ultimately the touch-stone for Liberia’s long-term stabilitywill be the capacity of its own institu-tions to operate in a democratic,responsible and efficient manner.

As Liberia continues to move fur-ther away from its legacy of civil war,the international community shouldremain committed to offer its supportfor this fledgling nation to realizedurable peace, stability and prosperity.

September - November 2009 UN FOCUS 3

Printed by Buck Press Ltd., Accra, Ghana

IN THIS ISSUE04 ERU Passes the Halfway Mark

06 UNHCR Supports Rule of Law

28 Partners’ Forum

10 Yet Another Milestone

12 Engaging Youth Volunteers

14 Battle against Yellow fever

16 Interview: Lt.-Gen. Abu Tayeb

16 Muhammad Zahirul Alam

18 From Refugee to ECOWAS Citizen

20 Village Enterprise

22 Rubber Plantations Reclaimed But…

24 State of the World Population 2009

26 Children’s Festival

27 India Extends Hand of Friendship

28 Ethiopians Bid Farewell

30 Liberians Speak

The Emergency Response Unit, the elite component of the Liberia NationalPolice, passes half-way mark of its expected strength with 80 more officerscompleting the special training recently. The elite unit is being trained to dealwith armed criminals, hostage situations, terrorist activities, riot control andto engage in anti-crime patrols.

For the first time in 15 years, Liberiathis year features in the globalHuman Development Index listing.Barely six years after the civil warended, Liberia now ranks aboveseveral West African countries previ-ously ranked higher, includingGuinea, Burkina Faso, Mali andGuinea Bissau.

Where banks or financial institutionsdo not exist, dozens of enterprisingLiberian women have got together tostart a unique venture they callVolunteers Savings and LendingAssociations giving them access tocredit to start small businesses.Members say their venture hasstrengthened social cohesion in theirvillages thus enhancing peace-building.

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Chief of Public InformationGeorge Somerwill

Editor and Head of PublicationsMathew Elavanalthoduka

Staff WritersSulaiman Momodu

J. Wesley Washington

Design and GraphicsPaddy Defoxy Ilos, II

Thomas Blidi

PhotosEmmanuel Tobey

Published by the Public InformationOffice, United Nations Mission in

Liberia

[email protected]


The elite component of the LiberiaNational Police (LNP), theEmergency Response Unit(ERU), has now passed thehalfway mark with 80 LNP offi-

cers from Class Four recently completingthe special training and thus bringing thetotal strength to 287 ERU officers sincetraining of this selected unit began in mid-2008. The ERU now also benefits from anexclusive Command Center.

The ERU is being trained to deal withcrimes which may require the use offirearms. Members are trained to deal witharmed criminals, violent crimes inprogress, hostage situations and armed ter-rorists activities. They also deal with riot

control, engage in anti-crime patrol incrime prone areas and provide assistancein major disaster situations.

Addressing the graduates on comple-tion of the three-month intensive trainingat the LNP Training Academy, DeputySpecial Representative for Rule of LawHenrietta Mensa-Bonsu reminded thegraduates that it was now time for them totransform their abilities into practical serv-ice to their community. The ERU officershave inherited the hopes and dreams of allLiberians who seek to live in a safe andsecure environment, she said, and cau-tioned them against the abuse of theirstrength and power which could bringshame and dishonour to the unit.

While assuring the LiberianGovernment of UNMIL’s continued assis-tance in training, reforming and restructur-ing the LNP, the UN Deputy Envoy notedthe immense contribution and continuedcommitment of bilateral partners to thedevelopment of the ERU, most especiallythe Governments of the United States andIreland.

Making remarks at his first ERU grad-uation ceremony since becoming the LNPInspector-General, Marc Amblard remind-ed the newly trained ERU officers that thetasks, expectations and sacrifices ahead ofthem were huge but urged them to serveLiberia with diligence, respect, dignity,discipline and honour.

ERU Passes the Halfwa


The Political and EconomicCounsellor at the US Embassy, StevenKoutsis, who represented his Governmentat the ceremony, reminded the audience ofthe recent visit there of the US Secretaryof State Hillary Clinton who promisedadditional US financial support for train-ing the LNP in next year’s budget, includ-ing additional support to the ERU. “Youare about to embark on a mission to pro-tect your country and its citizens againstdangers that only you are trained andequipped to face; you are right to holdyour heads high, but not with arrogance,”the US diplomat said.

Project Manager Damon Brown con-firmed that an additional 107 applicants

have been recruited for enrollment inClass Five, expected to commence train-ing shortly. He noted that there has beendifficulty in recruiting more women. Todate, there are only three women in theERU. “We have had women recruitmentdrives and information seminars sowomen can understand that not only willthey be involved in directed patrols andthe like, but there are different operationslike logistical support, communication anddifferent things we would like to have thewomen here for,” he said.

Meanwhile, a new LNP-ERUCommand Centre has been dedicated andturned over to the Liberian Government.President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said thededication of the Center is an attempt tomove one step further in Government’sefforts to enhance human security. “Bythese facilities, our ERU who have beenprofessionally trained and are in theprocess of being properly equipped will beable to meet those unexpected andunwanted circumstances in which theyhave to deal with the infringement ofrights, disturbances of the public peace –lawlessness,” she said.

President Sirleaf praised the UN andthe US Government for being major part-ners in the process of strengthening theERU. She stressed that the ERU remains aunit of the LNP, which must gain the con-fidence of the public by working withthem and partnering with communities to

enable citizens obey the law, respect theirdignity and help them become law abidingcitizens.

At the dedicatory ceremony, USAmbassador to Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the nearly US$1 millionCentre will serve not only as a place forthe ERU to operate from but also a testa-ment to the ongoing partnership betweenthe US and Liberian Governments, and theUN in the development of the LNP and itsERU. The 12-office Centre, its communi-cations set-up and the upcoming trainingof the fifth class will mark the completionof the initial US commitment in 2007 todevelop the skilled unit through a US$5million authorization. Since then, the USGovernment has committed US$2 millionmore to advance the development of theERU and by extension the LNP. The UScommitment to the development of LNP isexpected to increase in the comingmonths.

The Special Representative of theSecretary-General, Ellen Margrethe Løj,noted that the opening of the CommandCenter will serve as a significant enablerfor the ERU to improve upon and sustainits capabilities to deliver timely and effec-tive police response to critical incidentsand serious crimes. She noted that over theperiod the ERU has acquired professionalpolicing skills that go beyond the funda-mentals of operational policing.

ay Mark

President Sirleaf with senior UN officials at the graduation

ERU graduates demonstrate their skills


On a sun-drenched day in SinoeCounty, Joe walks many kilome-tres on a dusty stretch of road toreach a makeshift magistratecourt. He has been doing this in

search of justice over a piece of land. ButJoe is not alone. Almost every week, manyLiberians defy searing sun or pouring rainto hear court proceedings of their caseswhich sometimes drag on for years.

Now, however, residents of Margibi,Grand Gedeh and Sinoe counties are

delighted that new structures and facilitieshave been built for cases to be expedited,thanks to the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).“Before UNHCR’s intervention, we hadno magistrate court,” says Grand GedehCounty Attorney Adolphus Karnuah.

Ibrahima Coly, the UNHCRRepresentative in Liberia, says the UNrefugee agency has built three magisterialcourts in the three counties as well as pro-vided furniture and a package of stationer-

ies to the administration. The courts, locat-ed outside the county capitals, were con-structed in line with standard practice. Themagistrate court in Sinoe is the last of 13construction or rehabilitation support proj-ects UNHCR embarked on since 2007.

“Rule of law is protection and protec-tion is UNHCR’s core mandate,” saysColy, stressing: “Whether you win a courtcase or not, the fact remains that peoplehave a place to go to lodge a complaintand to be listened to than to resort to vio-

UNHCR Supports Rule of Law

UNH


lence. Everyone is equal before the lawand this is very important for peacebuild-ing.”

During Liberia’s civil war, most peo-ple fled their homes and lived either asinternally displaced persons or refugees.But back in their home areas as returnees,issues that require the intervention of thelaw are sometimes not far away. TheDeputy Executive Director of the LiberiaRefugee Repatriation and ResettlementCommission (LRRRC), Saah Nyumah,says UNHCR’s support to rule of law is asa result of gaps identified in return areasduring refugee monitoring. “One crosscut-ting issue in all the counties was rule oflaw; either there were no courts and policestations or such facilities were brokendown,” says Nyumah. Liberian PresidentEllen Johnson Sirleaf has often named ruleof law as one of the major challenges fac-ing Liberia.

The UNHCR has also constructedfacilities including four police stations and

barracks in Lofa, Maryland, Grand Gedehand Grand Bassa; it has also constructedfour Correction facilities in Sinoe, Bong,Bomi and Margibi in addition to construct-ing Immigration offices in Grand CapeMount and Maryland. All facilities are fur-nished. The UN agency is also part of theUnited Nations Development AssistanceFramework that is funding the construc-tion of the 1st judicial Circuit Court inVoinjama, Lofa County.

UNHCR, in partnership with theMinistry of Justice, has assisted to traincounty attorney clerks to work with theattorneys. “Among other responsibilities,we help the court attorney arrange docu-ments for court proceedings,” says A.Mayango Joyfe, a clerk in Bomi County.County Attorney Karnuah describes theclerks as “very useful.” The UN agencyhas also assisted the county attorneys withlaptop computers and generators to enablethem compile reports.

UNHCR collaborates with the UnitedNations Office for Project Services(UNOPS) as its major implementing part-ner, UN agencies and with the UnitedNations Mission in Liberia, which hassupporting rule of law activities throughits Quick Impact Projects (QIPs).

In October, more than 50 judicial andlaw enforcement officials were providedbasic skills and techniques in Harper,Maryland County, aimed at strengtheningrelations among key players in the justicesystem. Under the sponsorship of the

UNHCR, the two-day capacity-buildingexercise was in collaboration with UNMILLegal and Judicial Systems Support,Human Rights and Protection Section,Correction Advisory Unit, the CarterCentre, and the Catholic Justice and PeaceCommission. “This is part of our ongoingcapacity building process which takesplace in other areas as well,” saysMohamed Tejan-Cole, UNHCR’sProtection Monitoring Coordinator.

To assist returning refugees and inter-nally displaced persons, the agency is alsoengaged in reconciliation programmes,income generation activities and commu-nity empowerment projects includingbuilding schools, water and sanitation,construction of health centres and otherbasic services through implementing part-ners. Coly says so far the UN agency hasfunded more than 530 projects in agricul-ture, capacity building, education, health,income generation, infrastructure, rule oflaw, shelter, and water and sanitation.

As the UN agency scales down itsoperations in the country, Coly assuresthat UNHCR will continue to supportpeacebuilding and capacity buildingefforts. “Rule of law is very vital for theconsolidation of peace,” he maintains.Many Liberians could not agree more. “Ifwe have justice, we will have lastingpeace,” says Joe.

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CR Representative Ibrahima Coly hands over generators

The 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Voinjama under construction

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In an attempt to raise awarenessamong Liberia’s development part-ners on progress achieved so far,including the challenges to inter-agency coordination and coopera-

tion, the Ministry of Justice and its paras-tatals, the Liberia National Police (LNP),Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization(BIN) and the Bureau of Corrections andRehabilitation (BCR) held a Partners’Forum at the United Nations Headquartersin New York recently.

The Forum, attended by 46 countries,was introduced by the head of the UNDepartment of Peacekeeping Operations(DPKO), Under Secretary-General AlainLe Roy, and chaired by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, EllenMargrethe Løj.

In her introductory remarks, Løj noted

that though substantial progress has beenattained in the justice and security sectors,resources remain an enormous challengedespite increases in Liberia’s meagrebudgetary allocations to the rule of lawsector. “To address their respective chal-lenges, the LNP, BIN and BCR have eachdeveloped Strategic Plans consistent withLiberia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy(PRS), the National Security Strategy forLiberia (NSSRL) and the overarchingMinistry of Justice Strategic Plan towardstheir becoming independently operationalahead of Liberia’s 2011 elections andUNMIL’s eventual withdrawal,” Løj said.

In the NSSRL, which covers a three-year period (2009-2011), the LiberianGovernment has identified the gaps in thesecurity sector and the resources needed toaddress them, and projected a Government

contribution over three years of US$22million for LNP (out of a projected need ofUS$92 million), US$8 million for BIN(out of a projected need of US$27 million)and US$3 million for BCR (out of a pro-jected need of US$21 million).

The strategic plans of the three securi-ty agencies focus on strengthening theirinstitutions and capacities. These are fur-ther broken down into five thematic areas- Strategic Development, Training,Operational Support, Logistics, andInfrastructure. The agencies have mappedthe way forward to ensure an effectivetransition, articulating their respectivevisions and priorities. The three parastatalsare seeking funding gaps of a total of near-ly US$60 million – LNP, US$30 million;BIN, US$9 million and BCR, US$12 mil-lion. They have also identified critical

PPaarrttnneerrss’’ FFoorruumm

Ellen Margrethe Løj with Liberia’s Justice Minister Christiana Tah at the Forum


capacity gaps, including legislativereform, increasing administrative capacity,better protection for women, children andvulnerable people, as well as gender main-streaming.

All three agencies need basic andadvanced skills training, especially for

new officers, who have rudimentary edu-cation and basic skills, and lack the capa-bility to address specialized contexts with-in the new profession, including providingelection security, and enforcing drugs andhuman trafficking laws. They noted spe-cific need for effective management andleadership training for senior officers.

LNP noted that its Police Support Unit

(PSU) is currently unable to provide basicarmed support to patrolling officers or torespond to incidents of public disorder, amajor gap given the foreseen vital electionsecurity role. This unit also lacks sufficientcapacity to ensure security at correctionsfacilities, usually calling on UNMIL

Formed Police Units to fill this gap. Lackof capacity in forensics and pathologyoften leads to charges against suspectsbeing dismissed or not being brought atall. For the BCR, the lack of rehabilitationand counseling services at their facilitiesmean that when convictions are won, pris-oners serve time with no preparation forrelease into the community, greatly

enhancing the risk of their reoffending.The anticipated deportation of 2,000Liberians from the US, including thoseconvicted of serious crimes, will putsevere additional strain on all three of theagencies.

All three agencies note that despitereceiving donor support, a majority ofLNP, BIN and BCR officers, especiallythose deployed in rural areas, remain with-out basic transportation, communicationsor equipment to carry out even their mostbasic duties. Citing examples, they notethat at the county level, LNP officers arealmost entirely dependent upon UN Police(UNPOL) for mobility and communica-tion. The BIN faces similar constraints,relying on UNMIL to patrol the borders.For command and control, all agenciesalmost entirely depend on mobile phones,and are ill prepared in the event of a disas-ter or threat to national security.

The LNP still needs to construct orrenovate numerous police stations in ruralareas, and with over 30 separate incidentsof escape from correctional facilities lastyear, the need for new correctional facili-ties is critical. In addition, the major bor-der crossings to/from Côte d’Ivoire, SierraLeone, and Guinea are controlled by BINofficers who have little or no means ofcommunication. They are also unable toconduct effective border patrols. At best,they hold ropes across the road, and at the140 unofficial border crossings, BIN is illprepared to address illegal immigration,trafficking, and trade.

Justice Minister Christiana Tah, whoheaded the Liberian delegation, is opti-mistic that there will be favorable respons-es from partners. To support inter-agencycoordination, cooperation and cohesive-ness, the UN Development Programmehas opened a Justice and Security TrustFund (JSTF) for the three parastatals.Partners can channel funds to these securi-ty institutions in general or to individualprojects. For those partners who haveinstitutional constraints regarding contri-butions to a trust fund, they may con-tribute to these institutions through thirdparty cost sharing agreements with UNDP.

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For a country once branded as afailed state, Liberia’s slow butsteady progress towards normalcycannot boast of giant strides butonly small steps. For the first time

in more than 15 years, Liberia this yearfeatures in the global HumanDevelopment Index (HDI) listing. Due tothe intermittent civil war, the country hasbeen for a long time beyond the pale of

any assessment on the progress of humandevelopment measured by life expectancyat birth, per capita income, and adult liter-acy and enrollment ratio in education, thebenchmarks for the listing.

According to the 2009 global HumanDevelopment Report (HDR) launched inLiberia recently by the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) in col-laboration with the Government of

Liberia, the country ranks 169 out of 182countries. The progress reflects a per capi-ta income of US$362, adult literacy rate of55.5 per cent and a life expectancy of 57.9years.

Liberia’s ranking has improved from176 in 2007/2008 to 169 in 2009. The HDIhas also increased from 0.364 to 0.442during the same period. These achieve-ments reflect improvement in the well-being of the population. They are results ofincreases in the GDP per capita (which hasincreased from US$335 to US$362), adultliteracy rate (from 54.4 percent to 55.5percent) and life expectancy (from 45.1years to 57.9 years).

Liberia now ranks above several WestAfrican countries previously ranked high-er in the 2008 HDR. Guinea, which previ-ously ranked 167, is now 170; GuineaBissau is down to 173 from 171; BurkinaFaso, which ranked 173, now ranks 177;and Mali has plummeted from168 to 178.

Speaking at the launch of the HumanDevelopment Report in Monrovia, theDeputy Special Representative of theSecretary-General for Recovery andGovernance who is also UN ResidentCoordinator as well as UNDP ResidentRepresentative in Liberia MoustaphaSoumaré said the inclusion of Liberia inthis year’s HDI clearly signifies theprogress that the country is making in re-building its data systems, their growingcredibility and the overall recovery andreconstruction.

Touching on this year’s HDR theme:“Overcoming Barriers – Human Mobilityand Human Development,” Soumaréunderscored the critical role that nationaland local policies play in enabling betterhuman development outcomes both forthose who choose to migrate in order toimprove their circumstances and thoseforced to relocate due to conflict, environ-mental degradation or other reasons.

Officially launching the Report onbehalf of the Government of Liberia,Acting Planning and Economic AffairsMinister Sebastian Muah hailed Liberia’sinclusion in the report for the first time in15 years. He, however, noted that at 169out of 182 countries, Liberia is amongcountries with low human developmentand instead of getting disillusioned by this,the Government will, instead seek to tack-

Yet AnotherMilestone

Moustapha Soumaré at the launch of the report


le the challenges and the hurdles, and stayfocused on making further progress inbuilding and strengthening national sys-tems while ensuring that the national strat-egy for the development of statistics isfully implemented as the foundation forevidence based public policy.

“Our past experiences in Liberia pro-vide extremes and our present realitiesprovide hope. The impact of the conflictwill never be forgotten economically and

historically. However, we must alwaystake stock to set the baselines for themeasurement of progress,” Muah said.

Since 1990, annual HumanDevelopment Reports published by theUNDP have examined challenges that facehumanity including poverty, gender,democracy, human rights, cultural liberty,globalization, water scarcity and climatechange. This year’s report focuses onmigration in the context of demographic

changes and trends in both growth andinequality. Migration, both within andbeyond borders, has become an increas-ingly prominent theme in domestic andinternational debates.

In his statement during the launch,Soumaré made reference to Liberia’s ownnational Human Development Reportpublished in 2006 under the theme:“Mobilizing Capacity for Reconstructionand Development”. He noted that thisreport, the first to be published in the post-war era and the second ever for Liberia,not only won a global award for excel-lence in analysis in a post-conflict context,but has also laid the foundation foradvancing the national capacity develop-ment dialogue which has resulted in theformulation of a 10-year national capacitydevelopment strategy now in its advancedstage spearheaded by the Ministry ofPlanning and Economic Affairs.

He noted that the third NationalHuman Development Report under thetheme: “Promoting Human Developmentthrough Shared Growth: A Focus onAgriculture and Infrastructure” is beingprepared and is expected to be launched inearly 2010. “We believe these reports,both national and global, serve to enrichthe analytical wealth and policy dialogueon critical issues that affect the country asit makes progress in its recovery andreconstruction efforts,” Soumaré noted,adding that the UN family is committed tosupporting this dialogue in the interest ofadvancing human development in Liberiain partnership with the government and thepeople of Liberia.

JWW

LIFE EXPECTANCY ATBIRTH (YEAR)

ADULT LITERACYRATE (% AGE 15

AND ABOVE)

COMBINED PRIMARY,SECONDARY AND

TERTIARY GROSS

ENROLLMENT RATIO

IN EDUCATION

GDP/CAPITA(PPP US$) RANKED

2008* 45.1 54.4 335 176 OF 179 COUNTRIES

2009** 57.9 55.5 362 169 OF 182 COUNTRIES

Comparative Review: Liberia HDI ranking from 176 in 2008 to 169 in 2009

*2008 calculations based on 2006 data**2009 calculations based on 2007 data

Minister Sebastian Muah at the launch

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Following the restoration of peace in2003, thousands of youngLiberians have graduated from theUniversity of Liberia and other ter-tiary institutions. However, with

few opportunities for gainful employment,these graduates face an uncertain future.

Youth between the ages of 15 – 35constitutes 55 per cent of Liberia’s popula-tion, says Minister of Youth and SportsEtmonia Tarpeh. Young Liberians emerg-ing from institutions of learning largelyremain unemployed because many of themlack experience. Added to universitygraduates, there are thousands of young-sters with no skills roaming the streets.

To address the youth unemploymentproblem, the UN/Government of LiberiaJoint Programme on Youth Empowermentand Employment promotes the employa-bility of young women and men as a

means of promoting economic growth andsustaining peace and security in Liberia.Sam E. Hare Jr., Liberia’s Deputy Ministerfor Youth Development at the Ministry ofYouth and Sports, admits that his Ministryconfronts myriad youth issues. “We seethe major challenge for youth develop-ment as youth employment or the youthunemployment crisis which entails any-thing that would keep a young person outof job, disenfranchised and disempow-ered,” he says and commends the UnitedNations for supporting youth activities inthe country. “We have been working verystrongly with the United Nations agenciesin developing and promoting youthempowerment and employment.”

On her first official visit to Liberia inJuly, United Nations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP) Administrator HelenClark joined Liberian government minis-

ters and community leaders to launch ayouth volunteer initiative, “Volunteers forPeace”. Clark described the programmefunded by the UN Peacebuilding fund as amechanism for promoting peace and rec-onciliation at the grassroots level. At thelaunch in Kakata, Margibi County, shenoted that the development of Liberiashould involve the participation of allLiberians, particularly the youth.

About three months after the launch, inOctober, the first group of 30 volunteers,half of them female, was deployed in thecountry’s 15 counties. The programmeseeks to establish a cadre of trained volun-teers also known as ‘Youth PeaceAmbassadors’ to identify and diffusepotential violent conflicts throughoutLiberia. By organizing workshops, theyare expected to create a group of youngpeople in the communities who will share

EEnnggaaggiinngg YYoouutthh VVoolluunntt


messages of peace with their peers andother community members.

Deputy Minister Hare says the“Volunteers for Peace” programme stemsfrom the success of the National YouthVolunteer Service (NYVS) which waslaunched two years ago. The NYVS isspearheaded by the Ministry of Youth andSports and funded by UNDP and theUnited Nations Volunteers (UNV) - Bonn,as a pilot project of what is to become apermanent structure.

The NYVS volunteers have beendeployed throughout the country’s 15counties but predominantly in six counties– Maryland, Grand Geddeh, Bong, Lofa,Grand Bassa and Sinoe. They work withcommunities on development issues,including education, agriculture, genderequity, health and sanitation, and commu-nity development. The programme creates

linkages between the various cultures ofLiberia as the volunteers are deployed out-side their home counties.

The first set of 67 volunteers deployedfor a period of six months in 2007 receiveda monthly living allowance of US$100 tocover food, transport and accommodationin the various communities. The amounthas now been reviewed and increased toUS$150 for the current second group of122 volunteers whose length of service hasalso been increased to one year. Therecruitment for the third group of 150 vol-unteers is in progress. The ‘Volunteers forPeace’ also receive the same allowance.

Before deployment, the volunteersundergo a one-month induction trainingwhich entails orientation on the NationalYouth Policy, leadership and peacebuild-ing. They are offered core courses inAgriculture and teaching techniques,among others. Most of the volunteers haveamazing stories of their experiences andhave expressed gratitude for the opportu-nity to serve. “Young people should createthe spirit of volunteerism as a means ofcontributing to the development ofLiberia,” says Caroline Yei Nyanama, anursing graduate who was assigned to theMartha Tubman Memorial Hospital inZwedru.

Since its establishment in 2003, theUnited Nations Mission in Liberia(UNMIL) has been backing various youthinitiatives of the Government and civilsociety, including skills training and sup-

porting youth projects throughout thecountry. “Dealing with youth is a nationalsecurity issue so UNMIL is naturally inter-ested,” says the Chief of Civil Affairs,Francis Kai-Kai, whose section has per-sonnel working in ministries dealing withyouth issues and promoting youth devel-opment at county level.

During a regional conference on vol-unteerism held in Monrovia in late May,President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf pledgedher government's unflinching support toyouth volunteer services across the sub-region and encouraged the youth to pre-pare for future leadership. Pointing outthat volunteerism is something which hasbeen lost over the years, the Liberianleader urged the youth to engage in activi-ties not just for personal financial gainsbut also to render service to one’s countrywhich enhances the character of a personand gives satisfaction that money cannotbuy.

“Government cannot create jobs foreverybody, so engaging young people involunteer service is good for peace and forprofessional development,” says theMinister of Planning and EconomicAffairs, Amara Konneh. Government offi-cials say 37 per cent of the first batch ofvolunteers is now gainfully employed bythe Government, NGOs and the UnitedNations.

SM

tteeeerrssPresident Sirleaf addresses conference on volunteerism


Clutching her two-year-olddaughter Martha in her arms,Mafanta, 23, stands in a queue inthe Liberian capital, Monrovia.She is pregnant. The toddler

takes a look at the needle approaching herright shoulder and lets out a cry as sherecoils. The resistance does not last longand soon, the proceedings are all over. Forthe next 10 years and more, Martha is safefrom the mosquito-borne viral disease,Yellow fever.

For medical reasons, Mafanta’s preg-nancy does not permit her to take the vac-cination as the nationwide immunizationcampaign gets underway. “The medicalpeople say I should not take the vaccinenow but I am happy that Martha and theother children I brought have all taken it,”she says, smiling. Children under ninemonth are also excluded. “People went toour school today and I took it. It was notvery painful,” says elated seven-year-oldBaindu, apparently pleased with herachievement.

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemor-rhagic disease transmitted by infectedmosquitoes. The “yellow” in the namerefers to the jaundice that affects somepatients. The disease has no cure and treat-ment is symptomatic, aimed at reducingthe symptoms for the comfort of thepatient. Single-dose vaccination is the sin-gle most important preventive measureagainst the disease which can be deadlyserious and lethal with a patient bleedingfrom the nose, mouth and ears. The vac-cine, created in 1937, is safe and becomeseffective within one week after adminis-tration.

Throughout Liberia, more than 2,200health teams of more than 8,000 healthworkers mobilized in hospitals, communi-ty centres, clinics, schools, market places

and even under trees as crowds gathered totake the jab. “It is free and if taking it willprotect us against Yellow fever, then it isgood,” says 45-year-old John, rolling uphis sleeve to take the jab.

The week-long Integrated Yellowfever campaign, targeting over 3 millionout of the country’s 3.4 million population,was launched by Liberia’s Vice PresidentJoseph N. Boakai in November inMonrovia at an event witnessed byMinistry of Health officials and partnersincluding the Minister of Health, Dr.Walter Gwenigale. Added to Yellow fevervaccination, children between 12 monthsand five years of age were given de-worm-ing tablet (Mabendazole) during the cam-paign. The Vice President noted that theLiberian government considers a healthycitizenry as a central element in the imple-mentation of the country’s Poverty

Reduction Strategy. “One single confirmed case of Yellow

fever is considered by WHO an outbreak

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which requires immediate response. Thatis why WHO recommends internationaltravelers to get vaccination against Yellow

fever,” says World Health OrganizationRepresentative in Liberia, Dr. NestorNyayimirije.

Risk assessments were undertaken inLiberia this year during which it wasfound that eight out of the country’s 15counties were at highest risk while sevenwere medium. “Liberia is an endemiccountry for Yellow fever. We have had somany outbreaks,” says Thomas Nagbe, theDirector of the Expanded Programme onImmunization (EPI) at the Ministry ofHealth and Social Welfare (MOH&SW).He says the most recent outbreak wasrecorded in May this year in Zorzor, LofaCounty. “So far we have recorded about19 deaths from 1995 to now,” says thedirector, pointing out that though theMinistry has a good surveillance system inplace, many more deaths may have goneunreported in the country, which has a lotof forests providing the ideal habitat forthe disease-causing mosquito. The onecase discovered this year was a logger.

Prior to the campaign, the HealthMinistry in collaboration with WHO and

partners conducted a two-day trainingworkshop in Monrovia for national offi-cers who were to be deployed in the coun-ties to provide technical support to thecounty health teams. “What I have seen onthe ground is that there has been absolutepolitical commitment which is veryimpressive. I see a lot of collaborationfrom partners – UNICEF, WHO, RedCross and others all being part of theworking group. I have seen the UnitedNations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) sup-porting very strongly by airlifting materi-als to hard-to-reach areas,” observesStanley Biamemu, Technical Officer atthe WHO office in Ghana, who was inLiberia mainly to support the campaign.“UNMIL has done tremendously well.With many roads in the country deplorableespecially during the rains, the UN mis-sion has airlifted vaccine materials to mostcounties,” lauds Nagbe, adding: “This isthe biggest ever immunization campaignin Liberia. We have had campaigns beforesuch as for Polio and Measles targetingspecific populations but this one is target-ing more than 90 per cent of the entirepopulation.”

WHO, UNICEF, and the United StatesAgency for International Development(USAID), Red Cross and other partnerssupported the Liberian government toplan, implement and monitor the cam-paign, which was also simultaneouslyundertaken in Sierra Leone and Benin, andtargeted some 12 million people in thethree vulnerable West African countries.Since 2007, a total of 29 million peoplehave been protected through mass vacci-nations conducted in Burkina Faso,Cameroon, Mali, Senegal and Togo, aswell as a first phase completed in SierraLeone, according to WHO.

“We are very happy with the hugeturnout at immunization centres inMonrovia and other parts of the country,”says Dr. Zakari Wambai of the WHO inLiberia, adding that the Yellow fever cam-paign is targeting 12 countries in Africa,including Nigeria, in an effort to controlthe disease from becoming a public healthproblem. The campaign against Yellowfever will continue in Liberia through rou-tine immunization schedules.

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A young girl receives the vaccine

vaccinates a resident in Zai Town, Grand Gedeh County


What are your thoughts about the secu-rity situation in the country at present?

The security situation in Liberia hasimproved greatly from what I saw when Iarrived. The stability has improved andpeace has been made sustainable. In spiteof lots of apprehensions about the draw-down, the reduction of troops and reloca-tion, and also rumours that some ex-com-batants were trying to destabilize fromCôte d’Ivoire, tension relating to develop-ments in Guinea, also the Truth andReconciliation Commission Final Report,I think peace has endured.

What were the major challenges youfaced during your time here with theMission?

The only challenge I encountered wasdoing more with less because with everySecurity Council Resolution we had addi-tional tasks while we were reducing ourtroops. For example training the ArmedForces of Liberia, and now we have themandate to assist in the preparation for theelections in 2011. Besides added tasks, westill have to execute our mandate. But wehave lived up to the challenge.

My forces have even increased thetempo in many respects – in the number ofmilitary operations and the frequency inour border cooperation meetings and jointpatrolling. We have re-enforced inter-mis-sion cooperation. We have also improvedand expanded on our outreach and CIMICprogrammes. So even with less, althoughwe are constrained, we delivered morethan our required tasks.

The peace in Liberia is often describedand considered “fragile”. How can we

make it more enduring?It is fragile because any incident that

happens like in Guinea could change thewhole scenario. There were apprehensionsthat due to the economic downturn therewill be chaos because of frustration andeconomic hardship; but people haveshown their patience and perseverance andhave endured. Even with the economicdownturn things have improved.

I think the people of Liberia haveunderstood the value of peace. They areenjoying the peace dividend. I believe thatit is in their interest that they need to sus-tain the security, stability and peace.That’s why I think peace will endure. Idon’t find any major challenge in thisdirection. I don’t see that there could beany serious destabilization. Allthe indicators are forgood.

If things go wrong in Guinea, therecould be a fallout effect. If the DDRRprocess and the election do notgo well in Côte d’Ivoire,it will have its snow-ball effect here too.A good election inCôte d’Ivoirewill also influ-ence electionsin this countrybecause peoplefrom Liberiawill take lessonsfrom thosegood prac-t i c e s

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““II sseeee aa bbrriigghhtt ffuuttuurree ffoorr LLii

that have happened there and will definite-ly try to improve upon that. Althoughpeace is fragile, I don’t think we will facea crisis situation but will continue toimprove.

You have completed a year here asUNMIL’s Force Commander. What areyour major achievements during yourtenure?

When I took over we were in stage twoof the drawdown process. Troops wereleaving the Mission; units were relocatingfrom one area to the other, and at the sametime normal rotations were taking place.In spite of the weather, poor road condi-tions, with the concerted efforts of theUNMIL Forces and UNMIL IntegratedLogistics and other components and withthe assistance of our core security partnerUNPOL and others, we were able to com-plete the stage two of the drawdownprocess in time.

We moved from four sectors initiallyto three, now finally to two – Sector Alphaand Sector Bravo. Sector Alpha is thecoastal sector and Sector Bravo is more

the bordering sector. I think all ofthese have gone well. In addi-

tion, we have also revisedand updated many of ourStandard Operating

Procedures. We haveupdated all our rein-

forcement plans in relation to support forboth the Special Court in Freetown, SierraLeone, and also for the UN Operations inCôte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).

There is an arrangement that the UNMission is to mentor the restructuredArmed Forces of Liberia (AFL) aftertheir training with the United Statescontracted team. Where is UNMIL onthis and when do we expect the restruc-tured AFL to be fully operational andfunctioning?

We have identified several areas whichcan be supported. AFL’s officers and staffofficers are being trained in our Force andSector Headquarters. There are engineerslocated in Gbarnga, Bong County, who arebeing trained by our engineers there onbasic field and combat engineering.Another group of engineers will be trainedon bridges at various road rehabilitationwork sites. We are already in the finalstages of formulating a plan jointly withthe AFL and the Ministry of Defense.

What would be your advice to your suc-cessor?

I have prepared a full brief for my suc-cessor. It is very exhaustive and coverseverything.

The major challenge for my successorwill be the implementation of stage threeof the drawdown process. Another taskwill be the implementation of the rein-forcement plan for UNOCI in support ofthe forthcoming elections.

During stage three of the drawdownplan two battalions will go and these loca-tions have to be filled by others who arehere. The remaining forces will be read-justed, sector boundaries will have to bereadjusted and there will be some impor-tant relocation. I think these are the majortasks.

Are there any special memories that youtake back as you leave Liberia?

Before coming to West Africa, I didnot have much practical knowledge aboutAfrica. The nearest to Africa that I camewas Egypt. Of course I studied a lot about

Africa. I was Commandant of theNational Defence College

before coming

here. I had African students from Nigeria,Sudan, Egypt and other places.

But after coming here I’ve learned thatthere is tremendous potential in WestAfrica. We didn’t know really that thereare so many resources here. We have seenand heard about conflict and poverty inAfrica. Now, my eyes have opened; I seethe sub-region as such an endowed region.I’ve seen that Liberia is such an endowedcountry and with a little organization,commitment and support from all of us,this country will prosper, this region willprosper. I’m taking this memory backhome.

I contributed to the peace, security anddevelopment of this country for one year. Ifirmly believe that the Liberian story willbe a success story of the United Nations.As it is, we see that Sierra Leone is also asuccess story and it’s moving and pro-gressing. Now it has a political mission.Maybe some day, Liberia will transit to apolitical mission or something else. I wantto be a part of this success story. My heartwill always be here. I will follow-up oneverything that is happening in Liberia.

What would your parting words toLiberia be?

My parting words to Liberians is thatpeace is the way forward, and security, theprecondition for development. Of course,security today is a very broad concept andit incorporates everything – military, inter-nal, human security and everything.

I believe that now we have a very con-ducive external security situation. I havenot seen in my one year here any attemptto destabilize Liberia from outside. Sothere’s not much threat from outside.Liberia now has to consolidate internalsecurity. With good elections in 2011, Ithink the country would make a goodmove to the next level of development.

My appeal to Liberians is to havepatience and commitment and give peace achance. There will be moments of stagna-tion and difficulties but with concertedefforts to overcome them, they can moveforward. I see a bright future for Liberia.

Thank you.

iibbeerriiaa……””



After 15 years as a refugee, Rose S.Rogers says Liberia is now herhome. “I am alright here,” saysthe 45-year-old Sierra Leoneanin eloquent Liberian English.

Rogers, now married to a Liberian, isamong hundreds of Sierra Leoneanrefugees who have opted for local integra-tion as their refugee status ended last year.

As Liberia and Sierra Leone enjoy rel-ative peace and stability after years of civilwar, refugees from the sister countries areintegrating locally. In the process, theytransform from refugees to citizens of the

Economic Community of West AfricanStates (ECOWAS).

The United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Representative in Liberia, Ibrahima Coly,says that there are three durable solutionsfor the refugee problem -- voluntary repa-triation, local integration and resettlement.In June 2008, the agency announced 31December 2008 as the effective date forcessation of refugee status for SierraLeonean refugees all over the world under

the Cessation Clause, which applies whencircumstances which made people to fleetheir country cease to exist.

“We have many Sierra Leoneans whohave applied to naturalize and are goingthrough the process. What we are doing isthe legal framework as the refugees havestayed here for many years,” says theLiberia Refugee Repatriation andResettlement Commission DeputyExecutive Director, Saah Nyumah. TheLiberian laws state that for someone tonaturalize, he or she should have stayedfor about five years in Liberia. The

Liberian constitution does not accept dualnationality.

At a symbolic handing over ceremonyof 105 passports to Sierra Leoneanrefugees in April, Liberia’s Vice PresidentJoseph N. Boakai observed that Liberiaand Sierra Leone have a lot in commonwith similar ethnic groups, landscape andtraditions. He reminded the SierraLeoneans that “rights come with responsi-bilities” and encouraged them to live with-in the confines of the laws. He expressed

From Refugeeto ECOWASCitizen

UUNNHHCCRR aassssiissttss tthhee rreeffuuggeeeess wwiitthh hhoouusseess bbuutt 2200 ppeerr cceennttggooeess ttoo tthhee hhoosstt ccoommmmuunniittyy.. TThhee ffaacciilliittiieess iinn tthhee ccoommmmuunniittyyaarree aallssoo ssttrreennggtthheenneedd aanndd bbootthh rreeffuuggeeeess aanndd tthheeiirr hhoossttss aarreepprroovviiddeedd wwiitthh iinnccoommee ggeenneerraattiioonn aanndd lliivveelliihhoooodd aaccttiivviittiieess..

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the hope that West Africa would one daybe like the European Union, where citi-zens of member countries are free to trav-el anywhere in Europe.

The Sierra Leonean Ambassador toLiberia, Rev. Marie Jilo Barnett, describedthe ceremony as a milestone in the historyof the reintegration programme and notedthat it was a sub-regional approach to find-ing a lasting solution to the refugee prob-lem.

UNHCR assists the refugees withhouses but 20 per cent goes to the hostcommunity. The facilities in the communi-ty are also strengthened and both refugeesand their hosts are provided with incomegeneration and livelihood activities. “Wehave completed two sites. In Bensonvillewe have 35 families and in Memeh Townwe have moved in 45 families. We nowhave a new local integration project goingon 50 acres of land in Sinje where 140

houses are under construction,” saysNyumah.

Although many refugees are enthusias-tic about local integration, not all of themopt for it. Out of more than 2,500 SierraLeonean refugees, about 500 have indicat-ed to remain refugees. “The refugees havethe right to appeal that they are not goingback home and will not locally integrateand want to instead remain as refugees. Inthis regard, there is the Refugee StatusDetermination (RSD) committee chairedby the Ministry of Internal Affairs andincludes Ministry of Justice, UNHCR andLRRRC that will hear from refugees on anindividual basis. The Committee willeither accept or reject the appeal,”explains Representative Coly.

Like the Sierra Leoneans in Liberia,some of the about 9,000 remainingLiberian refugees in Sierra Leone are alsogoing through the local integrationprocess. Local integration is also under-

way for Liberian refugees in Nigeriawhere there are over 7,200 refugees,including 5, 619 Liberians and 1, 673Sierra Leoneans, many of whom haveopted against returning home. In Ghana,the process is yet to begin because theGhanaian authorities say the remainingcaseload of about 20,000 registeredLiberian refugees is too large and there arealso about 16,000 illegal Liberian immi-grants in the country.

More than 60,000 registered Liberianrefugees currently remain in the WestAfrica sub region, including Guinea,Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana,Nigeria and Gambia after the assisted vol-untary repatriation officially ended in June2007 during which more than 111,400refugees returned to Liberia.

ECOWAS recently signed an agree-ment with Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leoneand the UNHCR to allow the refugees to

settle in Nigeria. The deal requires Liberiaand Sierra Leone to provide passports totheir nationals, who will lose their refugeestatus and become entitled to a series ofrights guaranteed by agreements amongECOWAS member states.

“The host government will ensure theyenjoy the entitlements of ECOWAS citi-zenship, including the right to work,access to education and health on the sameterms as Nigerians,” says the regionalbloc. “We are drawing attention of thecountry where they are staying to the factthat they are an ECOWAS community cit-izen,” said ECOWAS CommissionPresident Mohammed Ibn Chambas.

Although mass repatriation of refugeeshas ended, the UN refugee agency contin-ues to facilitate return in the region.Currently, Liberia hosts about 6,000Ivorian refugees many of whom look for-ward to returning home.

MMoorree tthhaann 6600,,000000 rreeggiisstteerreedd LLiibbeerriiaann rreeffuuggeeeess ccuurrrreennttllyyrreemmaaiinn iinn tthhee WWeesstt AAffrriiccaa ssuubb rreeggiioonn,, iinncclluuddiinngg GGuuiinneeaa,,SSiieerrrraa LLeeoonnee,, CCôôttee dd’’IIvvooiirree,, GGhhaannaa,, NNiiggeerriiaa aanndd GGaammbbiiaaaafftteerr tthhee aassssiisstteedd vvoolluunnttaarryy rreeppaattrriiaattiioonn ooffffiicciiaallllyy eennddeedd iinnJJuunnee 22000077 dduurriinngg wwhhiicchh mmoorree tthhaann 111111,,440000 rreeffuuggeeeessrreettuurrnneedd ttoo LLiibbeerriiaa..

Some Ivorian refugees in Liberia


Dozens of Liberian women inBong County, where banks orfinancial institutions do notexist, now have access to creditand are shareholders of a grow-

ing enterprise in their area known as theVolunteers Savings and LendingAssociations (VSLA).

So far there are four VSLA in thecounty in Moipata, Baysah Farm, Tototaand Maimu communities. Each VSLA,comprising of about 30 members includ-ing a chairlady, financial secretary andtreasurer, also has its own constitution andholds regular meetings. “We do not have abank here but we have organized ourselvesand support each other with our ownmoney,” says Fatu Kpakla, the proudchairlady of the association in Totota.

Informal banking schemes are not new

in Liberia. In both rural and urban commu-nities, including offices, Liberians usuallyform “susu” clubs wherein an agreedamount is collected from members andgiven to one person during an agreed peri-od and it rotates until every memberreceives a bulk sum. The VSLA is howev-er different. Members of the associationwho are mainly women pool financialresources together through voluntary pur-chase of shares from which loans are takenby individuals and repaid with interest. Atthe end of the year, members share theprofits and begin another cycle.

The aim of the pilot project is to pro-mote the economic empowerment ofwomen and is supported by the UnitedNations Volunteer programme and a localnon-governmental organization, LiberiaInitiatives for Development Services

(LIDS). “The association is mainly forrural women who do not have access tofinancial institutions or do not have therequirements for bank loans,” says Nee-Isaac Duanah, Director of LIDS. All 120members have benefitted from a month-long training in microenterprise develop-ment, club management and operations.Members say the association has strength-ened social cohesion in their communitiesas some members who never interactedwith one another or had petty grudgeshave reconciled and now work together.The women have a committee in the asso-ciation that settles any disputes that mayarise among members thus enhancingpeacebuilding.

The United Nations Volunteer (UNV)Programme Officer at the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) in

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Liberia, Rukaya Mohammed, commendsthe women for their enthusiasm. Most ofthem are returnees and single mothers. TheUNV programme has distributed stationer-ies, cash boxes, stamp pads, pass books,calculators, among others to the four asso-ciations. The programme has also assigneda national volunteer to the VSLAs to assistthe women organize meetings and records.“Because the money belongs to thewomen there has not been any incident of

theft or non-payment of loan,” saysMohammed. The UNV programme hasalso organized awareness raising for thewomen on HIV/AIDS and Sexual andGender-Based Violence, among others.

Esther G. Kollie, treasurer of theBaysah Farm, notes that the associationhas been very helpful to rural women. “Ihave children in school. Before it was very

difficult to pay their fees but this year Ihave paid their fees through the credit Itook and the small business I am doing bybelonging to the association,” she says.Many women say they were motivated tobelong to the club because of the transpar-ent manner in which the finances are han-dled. “Although I am the treasurer I do nothandle money, I just keep the records.There is someone who keeps the metalcash box which has two big padlocks

while the keys are kept by two differentindividuals,” explains Kollie.

Sarah Toukao, a teacher at the BaysahFarm elementary, is also a member of theVSLA. “I joined the association becausethe members are determined to be unitedand love one another which are needed forpeaceful coexistence.” In addition to cred-it facilities, when one member is sick the

others offer support through the associa-tion’s social fund. Members of the associ-ations also undertake group work fromtime to time and income generated fromsuch activities are saved.

“Initially most of the women thoughtwe were going to give them money to startthe business but we said “no”, they shouldcontribute themselves. They did notbelieve they will do it but today they arevery happy and are moving forward,” saysProgramme Manager Mohamed, addingthat VSLAs have inculcated the habit ofsavings among the rural women. “Ournext plan is to include adult literacy asmost of the women are illiterate,” she says.

Up to late October, the associationshad a total sum of more than 300,000Liberian Dollar (about US$5,000). Thewomen say their wish is to expand the pro-gramme to other communities as morewomen are interested in joining theVSLAs. “We are very grateful for this pro-gramme. Now we have the experience totake care of our own finances but we needmore support from the United Nations andnon-governmental organizations in orderto be very strong and independent,”appeals the Totota chairlady.

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MMeemmbbeerrss ssaayy tthhee aassssoocciiaattiioonn hhaass ssttrreennggtthheenneedd ssoocciiaall ccoohhee-ssiioonn iinn tthheeiirr ccoommmmuunniittiieess aass ssoommee mmeemmbbeerrss wwhhoo nneevveerriinntteerraacctteedd wwiitthh oonnee aannootthheerr oorr hhaadd ppeettttyy ggrruuddggeess hhaavvee rreecc-oonncciilleedd aanndd nnooww wwoorrkk ttooggeetthheerr.. TThhee wwoommeenn hhaavvee aa ccoommmmiitt-tteeee iinn tthhee aassssoocciiaattiioonn tthhaatt sseettttlleess aannyy ddiissppuutteess tthhaatt mmaayy aarriisseeaammoonngg mmeemmbbeerrss tthhuuss eennhhaanncciinngg ppeeaacceebbuuiillddiinngg..

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In August this year, Liberian govern-ment officials including ministerstogether with senior United NationsMission in Liberia (UNMIL) person-nel were received with jubilation by

members of the local community at theSinoe Rubber Plantation. The excitementof the local residents was understandable.For a community that lacked basic socialfacilities, on that day, two UNMIL QuickImpact Projects -- a police station and ahealth centre -- were being inaugurated.

Amidst the celebrations, Minister ofInternal Affairs Ambulai Johnson formallyannounced that the Government had takenover the plantation and that an interimmanagement team was being set up toreplace the plantation’s illegal manage-ment and to improve the living conditionsof the local population.

The rubber industry is the largestindustry in Liberia, representing more than95 per cent of the country’s exports in2006, according to Liberia’s Central Bankand Ministry of Commerce and Industrysources. That year, the country earned

US$172.3 million from rubber exports, outof an overall export volume of US$180.8million. However, Liberia’s most impor-tant economic resource is also an industrymired in controversy.

During Liberia’s ghastly civil war,some of the country’s rubber plantationswere abandoned and subsequently takenover by illegal occupants or combatantswho exploited the natural resources fortheir own gains.

To ensure that the country’s resourcesare used for the good of all, in February2006, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf andthe Special Representative of the UNSecretary-General in Liberia establishedthe Rubber Plantation Task Force (RPTF)to undertake a comprehensive assessmentof the country’s major rubber plantations.The Taskforce was composed of theGovernment of Liberia, the private sectorand the United Nations. It was chaired bythe Minister of Agriculture and co-chairedby UNMIL’s Director of Reintegration,Rehabilitation and Recovery Section. Thedecision to set up the Taskforce was partly

triggered by UNMIL’s Human RightsSection report which exposed serioushuman rights violations in rubber planta-tions.

In its pre-processed state, rubbercomes in the form of latex, a milky emul-sion that seeps out of the tree after it hasbeen cut. Every day, rubber plantationworkers carefully place a thin spiral cut inthe rubber trees. Over the next few hours,liquid latex seeps out of the cut and flowsinto a cup. Most of the country’s latex iseventually processed and the concentratedlatex is exported.

To reclaim the plantations, all sevenmajor plantations - Cavalla, Guthrie,Cocopa, Sinoe, Liberian AgriculturalCompany (LAC), Firestone and Salala -were visited. The Taskforce found out thatFirestone, Salala and LAC were owned bycompanies and had management systemsin place. However, for the other four, thecompanies with concessions had fled dur-ing the conflict.

In its report to the Liberian President,the Taskforce revealed that ownership and

Rubber Plantation


management rights of several plantationswere unclear. Existing agreements wereold and not in line with Liberian labourlaws and working conditions weredeplorable. Payment of salaries and otherbenefits were often delayed by severalmonths and basic standards for environ-mental protection and occupational healthand security were not followed. Internalsecurity in plantations was very poor and"Plantation Protection Departments -PPD" were accused of serious violations.The Taskforce also found out that tensionsexisted between administrations of rubberplantations and local communities.Liberian National Police (LNP) and thejustice system had limited access to plan-tation areas while social services such asschools and health clinics were either indeplorable condition or non-existent. Twoplantations were found to be occupied andexploited by former fighters. The reportfurther stated that as a result of the combi-nation of factors, state authority in andaround several plantations was limitedwith consequent instability in many areas.

The first plantation to be retaken wasCavalla followed by Guthrie and Cocopa.Sinoe was the last. In Guthrie, forinstance, where ex-combatants had riotedand set structures on fire, the Taskforcenegotiated with ex-combatants to leavewhile a national police station and UNMILpeacekeepers established camps to ensuresecurity. “It was very difficult for the ex-combatants to let go the plantations but weexplained to them that they can’t hold onforever,” said Andrea Tamagnini, who wasco-chair of the Taskforce. During the glob-al financial crisis when prices of rubberplummeted, many ex-combatants whowere reluctant to leave finally decided tolet go and were provided some assistanceby the Taskforce and skills training by thenon-governmental organization LandMine Action. Also, in Guthrie, UNMILconstructed 11 water wells, one police sta-tion, and repaired one school under itsQuick Impact Projects. At the same time,UN agencies and NGOs were encouragedto extend their programmes to the planta-tion, which was now accessible.

While ex-combatants have been reinte-grated and now compete with their compa-triots for limited job opportunities in com-munity-based projects undertaken by theUN mission and partners, fundamentalchallenges remain. Up to late October, theinterim management team was yet to beset up at the Sinoe Rubber Plantationwhile there were pending issues of sever-ance payment at Guthrie.

UNMIL Chief of Civil Affairs FrancisKai-Kai points out that proper manage-ment of rubber plantations is crucial toLiberia’s economic revitalization and jobcreation for unemployed youths. “UNMILwill continue to work with theGovernment to ensure that the plantationsbecome a source of revenue and employ-ment. Proper management in rubber plan-tations will ensure that Liberians benefitfrom their resources in peace,” he said.

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ns Reclaimed But…


The United Nations PopulationFund (UNFPA) in collaborationwith the Ministry of Planning &Economic Affairs has launchedthe State of World Population

2009 with the warning that climate changeremains a key issue facing humanity.Climate change not only endangers livesand undermines livelihoods, but it alsothreatens to exacerbate the gaps betweenrich and poor and amplify the inequitiesbetween women and men, says the reportthemed “Facing a changing world:women, population and climate.”

In a statement delivered on behalf ofthe UNFPA Representative EsperanceFundira at the launch, World HealthOrganization (WHO) Representative toLiberia Dr. Nestor Ndayimirije noted thatthis year’s report demonstrates that cli-mate change remains a key issue of popu-lation dynamics, poverty and genderequality. He said approximately 600,000deaths occurred worldwide as a result ofweather related disasters in the 1990s,with some 95 percent of these in poorcountries. If these trends continue unabat-ed, many climate scientists are predictingfurther catastrophic effects on the environ-ment, habitats, economies and people.

“Climate change has the potential toreverse the hard-earned developmentgains of the past decade and the progresstowards achieving the MillenniumDevelopment Goals,” the WHORepresentative cautioned, adding that cli-mate change threatens to exacerbatepoverty and burden marginalized and vul-nerable groups with additional hardships.“Poor households are especially vulnera-ble to climate change because their mar-ginal income provides little or no access tohealth services or other safety nets to pro-tect themselves against the threats fromchanging conditions,” he said.

Launching the report on behalf of theLiberian Government at the University ofLiberia, Vice President Joseph Boakai saidclimate change poses a serious threat tothe way of life in Liberia as in the rest ofthe world. “The consequences of climatechange are inevitable, and they impact theworld’s population significantly,” he said.

The Vice President noted that while

Liberia has not contributed in any signifi-cant way to global warming, the countryis, nevertheless, a victim of climatechange. “We are among disaster pronenations and gradually being affected byclimate change, and experiencing unprece-dented levels of floods and sea erosion,”he said, noting that Liberia supports thestance of African leaders who have met

SSttaattee ooff tthhee WWoorrllddPPooppuullaattiioonn 22000099

MORTALITY

INFANT MORTALITY TOTAL PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS 93

LIFE EXPECTANCY M/F 57.3 / 60.1

MATERNAL MORTALITY RATIO 1/200

EDUCATION

PRIMARY ENROLMENT (GROSS) M/F 96 / 87

PROPORTION REACHING GRADE 5 M/F -

SECONDARY ENROLMENT (GROSS) M/F 37 / 27

PERCENTAGE /ILLITERATE (>15 YEARS) M/F 39.8 / 49.1

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

BIRTHS PER 1,000 WOMEN (AGES 15-19) 40

CONTRACEPTIVE PREVALENCE ANY METHOD 11

MODERN METHOD 10

HIV PREVALENCE RATE (%) AGES 14 – 49 1.7

Selected IndicatorsLIBERIA


and agreed to demand compensation fromleading industrialized countries who areheavy polluters.

He noted that the issues of women andclimate change, two issues of focus in thisyear’s theme, are thematic issues that theLiberian government has already declaredpriority areas central to the county’snational development agenda. He notedthat as climate change is partly the resultof an approach to development and eco-nomic growth that has proven to be unsus-tainable, halting climate change requires afresh, more equitable and sustainableapproach to the way we live, produce andconsume. Given women’s significantengagement in food production, genderblind policies may exacerbate the prob-lems associated with climate change bywidening inequalities between the sexes,the Vice President said, cautioning that

policies that aim to address climate changewill be less effective if they fail to takeinto account the gender aspects.

A youth debate followed the officiallaunch which stressed the need for today’syoung people to be at the frontline of cli-mate change. Young people between 10and 24 years constitute over 1.5 billion

people in the world, of which 70 per centlive in developing countries. Thus, youngpeople, especially young women, are par-ticularly vulnerable to the impact of cli-mate change. The report contains a youthsupplement titled: “At the Frontier: YoungPeople and Climate Change.”

The report, aimed at highlighting thegap between the rich and the poor and theinequities between women and men, high-lights the relationship of populationdynamics, reproductive health, and cli-mate change in the face of unpredictableweather events. It describes what can bedone to slow down -- and possibly rollback -- climate change and what must bedone to help the poor adapt to the climatechange that is already under way.

Women, particularly those in poorcountries, are affected differently thanmen. Women are among the most vulnera-ble to climate change, partly because inmany countries they make up the largershare of the agricultural work force andpartly because they tend not to have accessto as many income-earning opportunitiesas men.

The report was released as a lead-up tothe 15th Conference of Parties to theUnited Nations Framework Convention onClimate Change, where delegates fromaround the world are expected to endorse anew treaty to limit the warming of theearth’s atmosphere.

The report also aims to remind theinternational community that climatechange is more than an issue of energyefficiency or industrial carbon emissions -- it is also about people and where andhow they live, what they consume and therights and opportunities available to them.

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DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL & ECONOMIC INDICATORS

TOTAL POPULATION (MILLIONS) 2009 4.0

PROJECTED POPULATION (MILLIONS) 2050 8.8

AVERAGE POPULATION GROWTH RATE (%) 2005-2010 4.1

% URBAN (2009) 61

URBAN GROWTH RATE (2005-2010) 5.4

POPULATION/HA ARABLE & -PERMANENT CROP LAND 3.8

TOTAL FERTILITY RATE (2009) 5.01

% BIRTHS WITH SKILLED ATTENDANTS 46

GNI PER CAPITA PPP $ (2007) 280

EXPENDITURES/PRIMARY STUDENT (% OF GDP PER CAPITA) 6.0

HEALTH EXPENDITURES, PUBLIC (% OF GDP) 1.2

EXTERNAL POPULATION ASSISTANCE (US$.000) 10,544

UNDER-5 MORTALITY M/F ESTIMATES (2005-2010) 144/136

PER CAPITA ENERGY CONSUMPTION -

ACCESS TO IMPROVED DRINKING WATER SOURCES 64


“Today is your day; I want tosee you smile,” saidLiberian President EllenJohnson Sirleaf, her voiceamplified by the loudspeak-

ers. As she took a few dance steps cheer-fully waving at high-spirited Liberian chil-dren who had converged at the SamuelKanyon Doe Sports Complex outside theLiberian capital, Monrovia, on 21November, the Liberian leader continued:“Are you happy?” The children beamed inunison, “Yeah!”

Called “oldma” by the kids and manyLiberians, President Sirleaf, who turned 71on 29 October, was the chief guest atLiberia’s first children’s festival commem-orating the 20th anniversary of theConvention on the Rights of Children(CRC) organized by the United NationsChildren’s Fund (UNICEF), the Ministryof Gender and Development and partners.“A children's festival is a way to look for-ward and an opportunity for children totake on leadership and make their countryfriendly for them to grow up. Let's makeLiberia a country where children can playagain,” said the President who took a walkaround the stadium where the UnitedNations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) had

erected stalls for use by various organiza-tions. Accompanied by the UN DeputySpecial Representative for Rule of Law,Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, and Governmentofficials, the Liberian leader interactedwith the children and the nearly 300 vol-unteers donning special T-shirts who madethe event possible.

The festival included a mix of ‘learnand fun’ such as music, dance, literary andsports competitions, workshops and spe-cial events on art, photography, careers,life skills, radio, music and cultural con-certs. The hundreds of children at theStadium were full of life, and understand-ably so. Until six years ago, Liberian chil-

dren were victims of their country’s civilwar during which many of them werekilled, forced to become child soldiers, orhad their education derailed.

While the event was taking place at thestadium in Paynesville, activities werealso taking place in the counties. “Today isa day for children to witness what adultshave committed to them 20 years ago,”said Isabel Crowley, UNICEFRepresentative in Liberia. She expressedthe hope that the children’s festival willbecome landmark towards making Liberiaa beautiful, peaceful and prosperous coun-try for generations to come.

Liberia ratified the CRC in 1989.“Many people are not aware of what iscontained in the Convention, so we wereon the UN Mission’s radio to sensitize thepublic on the rights of the child,” said UNpolice advisor, Doreen Malambo. The UNChildren’s Fund marked the global eventby launching its special edition of the flag-ship publication, State of the World’sChildren.

During the festival, the Liberian chil-dren had messages on posters and T-shirtsfor the attention of adults and policy mak-ers. Some read: “It’s our right to have freehealthcare”; “I have a right to go toschool”; “Don’t just sit there, do some-thing to help children survival.” UNICEFsays it is working with partners to ensurethe full realization of children’s rights inpost-war Liberia.

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Children’s Festival

President Sirleaf at the festival

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India is known in Liberia for sendingthe United Nations’ first femalepolice contingent to support andmentor the Liberia National Police.Now, the world’s most populous

democracy has pledged more support tothe country during a recent visit to Liberiaby Shashi Tharoor, India’s Minister ofState for External Affairs.

Tharoor, a former UN Under-Secretary-General, is the first Indian min-ister to visit Liberia in 38 years. During hisvisit, he met with Liberian President EllenJohnson Sirleaf, cabinet ministers andother Government authorities as well assenior UN officials, including the UNSpecial Representative Ellen MargretheLøj in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.

The Indian Minister, who was accom-panied by a business delegation, told UNFocus that India did not come with anagenda to Liberia but instead askedLiberians how India could help them.India has offered help to Liberia in capac-ity building, training, trade, investmentand Information Technology. It has alsooffered assistance in the forms of lines ofcredit on concessional terms, as well as a

grant-in-aid for education and health proj-ects worth US$ 2 million. Tharoor alsoannounced the donation of 25 buses to theMonrovia Transport Authority. In addition,India has offered two ‘hole-in-the-wall’computer education centres which is a spe-cial educational project where children

who don’t have access to technology areable to learn how to use computers.“Africa is a real priority for us and pres-ence is the best way to prove it,” said theMinister.

While visiting the Indian peacekeepersat their headquarters in Monrovia, Tharoornoted that the Indian women have set anastonishing landmark in the history of UNpeacekeeping by becoming the first allFemale Formed Police Unit. “What you

are doing will be remembered andapplauded by many generations to come,”he told the troops, adding that the presenceof the Indian peacekeepers is a demonstra-tion that women are not just victims ofconflict but can be a source of strength andcan provide security. “Let me thank you asa former UN man for honouring the blueberet by wearing it so proudly. Let methank you for being here and doing whatyou are doing.”

As part of the UN Mission in Liberia,the first batch of the Indian FFPU arrivedin Liberia in 2007 amid global media cov-erage. The role of the peacekeepersincludes maintaining law and order in andoutside the capital, and providing securityto the President. The presence of the FFPUhas also motivated Liberian women toapply to join the law enforcement agenciesin the country.

Tharoor, who was on a six-day visit toLiberia and Ghana, said his impressionswere that prospects for Liberia are brightbut he urged Liberians “to rebuild todayfor a good tomorrow.”

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India Extends Hand of Friendship

““LLeett mmee tthhaannkk yyoouu aass aa ffoorr-mmeerr UUNN mmaann ffoorr hhoonnoouurriinnggtthhee bblluuee bbeerreett bbyy wweeaarriinngg iittssoo pprroouuddllyy.. LLeett mmee tthhaannkk yyoouuffoorr bbeeiinngg hheerree aanndd ddooiinnggwwhhaatt yyoouu aarree ddooiinngg..””

Minister Tharoor with Indian peacekeepers

Residents of southeastern Liberia,especially the city of Zwedru,capital of Grand Gedeh County,are emotional, like when friendsdepart, as the Ethiopian contin-

gent finally says goodbye to the UNMission in Liberia.

“The Ethiopian contingent has donetremendously well. Their overall contribu-tion to the peace process in Liberia hasbeen significant,” said Alfred Junye, theregional coordinator of the LiberiaRefugee Repatriation and ResettlementCommission (LRRRC) based in Zwedru.He recalled the flood disaster in theprovincial city last June when theEthiopians, risking their lives, rescuedseveral women, children and the elderlytrapped in their homes as the water levelsrose to unprecedented heights. The peace-keepers later also provided humanitarianassistance to the displaced victims.

Otis Jolo, a resident of Zwedru, notedthe outstanding collaboration between theEthiopians, the citizenry and local author-ities. He found them to be hospitable,cooperative and highly security minded.“Their leaving is bringing mixed feelingsto most residents in the southeast includ-ing me,” Jolo said adding, “Beyond theirmandate, they initiated capacity-buildingactivities and provided other kinds ofassistance to the locals that I considerremarkable.”

In early 2004, the first Ethiopian con-tingent was deployed in Zwedru, and grad-ually fanned out to the southeastern coun-ties of Sinoe, River Gee, Grand Kru,Maryland, Rivercess and lower Nimba.Southeastern Liberia then was sparselypopulated with most Liberians still inrefugee camps in the sub-region. Securitywas non-existent and infrastructure, bro-ken down. Gradually, with the Ethiopiansproviding umbrella security, the situationbegan to change and get better. Today,Zwedru, like most other cities around thecountry, has become a bustling economichub in the southeast.

Ethiopia



With approximately 17,500 troopshaving rotated in the Mission since arriv-ing here in late December 2003, the ETH-BATT-20 Commander, Lt.-Col.Weldesilasse Kiros hopes that his coun-try’s efforts to restore peace and securityin south-eastern Liberia will be consolidat-ed by all Liberians. “I feel happy returninghome after completing a successful mis-sion,” he said.

Commenting on their accomplish-ments as well as civilian/military coordi-nation (CIMIC) activities during their tourof duty, Lt.-Col. Kiros recalled that hiscontingent distinguished themselvesbeyond their normal duties to provideskills-training in auto mechanics, electric-ity, plumbing, and health and agriculturaleducation to unemployed youth in thecounty. They also quelled four incidents ofcivil unrest in their areas of responsibilitywithout any serious injuries to the demon-strators.

He highlighted the role played by thecontingent’s 67 female soldiers in collabo-rating with the Zwedru Women’sAssociation in cultural activities aimed atthe prevention of sexual exploitation andabuse. During the UN medal award cere-mony in Zwedru early October, theSpecial Representative of the Secretary-General, Ellen Margrethe Løj, acknowl-edged this unique contribution. “Thankyou for being the touch-bearers of thisnoble cause and for helping us all addressan issue that you know I consider para-mount in our day-to-day interactions withthose around us,” she said, highlightingthe importance of combating sexualexploitation and abuse.

The contingent commander recalledthe humanitarian assistance his officersprovided to the victims of last June’sfloods in Zwedru. “These activities havecreated good relations with the people ofGrand Gedeh and River Gee counties,” henoted. In a written citation on 13 July, thelocal county officials thanked theEthiopian peacekeepers for the bravery

exhibited in the face of danger and salutedthem for saving the lives of fellow citi-zens.

As the final batch of ETHBATT-20 isexpected to depart shortly, the contingentcommander intends to donate their balancemedical supplies to the Martha TubmanMemorial Hospital intended for the localpopulation’s use. Those who benefitedfrom their agricultural training will be pro-vided with agricultural tools and othermaterials to enhance their capacity to pro-duce more food. A number of local schoolswill receive some benches and chairs.

“We are doing all this as a show ofgratitude to our Liberian brothers and sis-ters,” Kiros said adding, “Liberiansaccepted us, not as foreigners, but asbrothers and sisters. Since they have madeour mission a successful one, our variousdonations is only to show our affectionand gratitude to them as we leave.” Hewished that had they stayed much longer,they would have engaged themselves inmore capacity-building initiatives andcontributed to building the country’s econ-omy.

The departure of the Ethiopian contin-gent is in line with the UNMIL drawdownprocess. The third phase runs from

October 2009 to May 2010. Based on areport by a Technical Assessment Missionthat visited Liberia from 26 April to 6May, the Secretary-General recommendedto the Security Council a reduction in themission’s military strength by 2,029 troopsbut no change in the police component.Special Representative Løj has assuredLiberians that the drawdown of UN forcesin the country would be “carried out in agradual manner so as not to jeopardize thegains we have made thus far, as well as toallow Liberian security institutions to beup and running.”

Ethiopia, one of the original signato-ries of the United Nations Charter, hasplayed a significant role in promotingworld peace and security. As early as theoutbreak of the Korean War in June 1950,Ethiopia raised a volunteer battalion(Kagnew battalion) and authorized itsdeployment with the UN forces. Beforethe 1953 ceasefire, three Ethiopian battal-ions, totaling 5,000 men, had rotated andserved with distinction.

From 1960 to 1964, the Ethiopiansagain served with the UN peacekeepingforce in Zaire (present-day Congo) andRwanda following the genocide in 1993. Italso successfully completed its peacekeep-ing mission in Burundi. Currently,Ethiopian soldiers are playing a significantrole in the United Nations-African Unionhybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur,Sudan.

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ns Bid Farewell

Ethiopian peacekeepers at a medal parade

Liberians

Geraldine Doe-SSheriffJunior Senator, Montserrado County

Edwina GbeanquoiCosmetology Student, Salvation Army

Vocational Training Programme

Augustine NugbaProgramme Coordinator, CARITAS –

Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County

Amos TickerPolitical Advisor, Unity Party

Florence TeahStudent, Nursing School –

Gardnersville


Six years after war, is demo

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“Yes, democracy is taking root. I say sobecause the recent Montserrado Countysenatorial by-election was free, fair andtransparent. Before, elections were held

but they were not transpare

Documents

UN FOCUS...with armed criminals, hostage situations, terrorist activities, riot control and to engage in anti-crime patrols. For the first time in 15 years, Liberia this year features