Liberia: Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2288 on Liberia Sanctions Termination

May 25, 2016 | United States Mission to the United Nations
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Remarks by Ambassador David Pressman: Thank you, Mr. President. As we terminate these sanctions today, it is worth recalling how far Liberia has come. Today is the first day that Liberia is not subject to United Nations sanctions since 1992. The current sanctions date from 2003, shortly after Charles Taylor had gone into exile and a comprehensive peace agreement had been signed. At that time, this Council took swift and effective action to establish a strong sanctions regime aimed at supporting Liberia’s peace agreement. The sanctions first included an arms embargo, a targeted travel ban, and import bans on the principal natural resources that were funding the conflict: round logs and timber products originating in Liberia, and rough diamonds from Liberia. These innovative natural resource sanctions, which were carefully tailored to the specific context in Liberia, made a powerful contribution to Liberia’s peace and security. The Council adjusted the sanctions as the situation on the ground changed, adding a targeted asset freeze.