LIBERIA: Rights body recommends action to end instability
The International Crisis Group (ICG), a leading
conflict prevention body, has reported that Liberia is the main cause of
instability among the Mano River Union countries of West Africa; and
recommended that France, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, the
United Nations, international donors and civil society take corrective action.
U N I T E D N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)
LIBERIA: Rights body recommends action to end instability
ABIDJAN, 25 April (IRIN) - The International Crisis Group (ICG), a leading
conflict prevention body, has reported that Liberia is the main cause of
instability among the Mano River Union countries of West Africa; and
recommended that France, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, the
United Nations, international donors and civil society take corrective
action.
In its report published on Wednesday, the ICG said that Sierra Leone’s
“fragile peace” was being threatened by the war in neighbouring Liberia. The
report titled: “The Key to Ending Regional Instability”, says that a threat
to open warfare across the region remained so long as President Charles
Taylor’s administration “remains the primary cause of instability in West
Africa”.
The ICG urged the international community to apply a two-track approach to
correct the situation: pressure such as sanctions and principled engagement
to obtain a negotiated end to Liberia’s conflict and one that secures
fundamental rights of its citizens.
"The principal objective of this approach should be to achieve genuinely
free and fair elections in 2003 to let Liberians decide the question of
their leadership themselves," the ICG said.
[Full ICG report available on http://www.crisisweb.org">
[ENDS]
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