Liberia: UN to pause disarmament process while improving conditions

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) today announced plans to pause its disarmament of ex-fighters in order to facilitate the overall process.

The payments of an advance “reinsertion allowance” will also be on hold from mid-December to January so that the mission can improve conditions at Camp Schieffelin, located outside the capital.

So far, more than 8,000 former combatants have turned in weapons there. UNMIL said these former fighters will have the option of continuing to receive food, shelter, and other basic support at Camp Schieffelen during the holiday period, or returning to their respective communities until the disarmament process resumes in January.

The decision announced today was taken “following detailed discussions with Liberian political and military leaders,” UNMIL said.