UN envoy calls on Liberians to assist in fight against mercenaries, arms trafficking

The senior United Nations envoy in Liberia has urged inhabitants of the impoverished West African country to work closely with the UN mission to prevent any recruitment of mercenaries or arms trafficking over its borders.

Alan Doss, the Head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), made his appeal on Saturday during a medal parade ceremony for Ethiopian peacekeepers with the Mission in the town of Zwedru, close to the border with Côte d’Ivoire.

“We should remain alert and ready to deal with any troubles that may come from across the border,” he said, noting that UNMIL needs particular help from Liberians living close to the borders.

Mr. Doss also stressed that the UN system remains committed to helping Liberia deal with any problems that emerge from across its borders and work on consolidating peace after a brutal 14-year civil war that ended in 2003.

“Our job in Liberia is not yet done. The UN Security Council has just extended our mandate because it knows that Liberia still needs UN help to deal with the many challenges that lie ahead as the country begins to rebuild itself.”

Set up in 2003 to support the implementation of a ceasefire and subsequent peace process, UNMIL had more than 14,800 military and police personnel as of last month, and the Security Council has extended its mandate until the end of September 2007.