Sanctions Await Trouble Makers
-Amb. Blain

 

Forum
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

October 19, 2004

 

The Special Representative of ECOWAS Executive Secretary to Liberia, Francis Blain, has revealed that sanctions – in the form of Travel Restrictions, will be imposed against those individuals who are bent on undermining the peace process.

Ambassador Blain gave the warning yesterday, during a special joint press conference held at the UNMIL Headquarters in Congo Town, Monrovia. According to him, with the level of stability obtained in the peace process so far, the international community will not allow any groups or individuals “to place these important gains at risk.”

As a demonstration of the international community’s commitment to the peace process, at a recently held meeting of the International Monitoring Committee (IMC), which is comprised of representatives of the African Union, ECOWAS, the European Commission, Ghana, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States and the UNMIL, the IMC recalled that resolutions 1521 of 2003 and 1532 of 2004 as adopted by the United Nations Security Council, would certainly be effected against anyone evidently caught jeopardizing the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord on Liberia. Both Resolutions of the UN Security Council provide measures against any individuals engaged in activities aimed at undermining the peace and stability in Liberia and the sub-region.

At the same time, the IMC has reiterated that in accordance with the CPA, elections would be held as planned; and has therefore called on the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) to quickly pass the draft electoral bill, which was submitted to that August Body sometimes ago. Amb. Blain said the passage of the bill is very crucial “ because the activities leading to elections are contingent on the passage of the bill,” he emphasized.

It can be recalled that since the adoption of the two UN Resolutions, several Liberians, whom the UN referred to as exiled president Charles Taylor’s close associates are feeling the wrath for allegedly being threats to the peace process in Liberia.

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