Security Council

7263^rd Meeting (AM)

Adopting Resolution 2176 (2014), Security Council Approves Three-Month Extension

 

for United Nations Mission in Liberia, with Further Renewal under Review

 

Urging a stepped-up international response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa, the Security Council this morning decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia until 31 December 2014 with no changes in deployment.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2176 (2014), the 15-member body endorsed the Secretary-General’s letter of 28 August (document S/2014/644), in which he recommended a technical rollover of UNMIL for three months and postponement of planned drawdowns to better monitor the human rights situation and facilitate humanitarian assistance by helping maintain necessary security conditions during the Ebola crisis.

Previously, the Secretary-General’s report on UNMIL (document S/2014/598), published on 15 August, had recommended maintaining the drawdown schedule for the Mission while boosting electoral capacity for elections, which, expected to be held in October, had since been postponed indefinitely.

Through today’s resolution, the Council expressed its intention to further extend UNMIL’s mandate to 30 September 2015 after consideration of the Secretary-General’s proposals for the Mission’s future.  It requested his update on the situation in Liberia by no later than 15 November 2014.

The meeting began at 10:04 a.m. and ended at 10:07 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of Resolution 2176 (2014) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Liberia, in particular resolutions 1509 (2003), 2066 (2012) and 2116 (2013), and its press statement of 9 July 2014,

“Expressing grave concern about the extent of the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa, in particular in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone,

“Affirming that the Government of Liberia bears primary responsibility for ensuring peace, stability and the protection of the civilian population in Liberia and stressing that lasting stability in Liberia will require the Government of Liberia to sustain well-functioning and accountable government institutions, particularly of the rule of law and security sectors,

“Welcoming the launch of the Liberia Operational Plan for Accelerated Response to Recurrence of Ebola Epidemic, taking note of the efforts of the national security forces, notably the Liberia National Police and the Armed Forces of Liberia, to respond promptly to the outbreak through undertaking public awareness and prevention activities in conformity with established safety protocols and procedures and urging the national security forces, when responding to security incidents, to use proportionate force,

“Welcoming the convening of the Mano River Union Extraordinary Summit, held in Guinea on 1 August 2014, and the commitments expressed by the Heads of State of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and the Head of the World Health Organization to combat the Ebola outbreak in the region, including by strengthening treatment services and measures to isolate the outbreak across borders and also welcoming the commitment of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, as well as bilateral partners and multilateral organizations, to support efforts to combat the further spread of the Ebola virus,

“Expressing appreciation for the appointments by the Secretary-General of David Nabarro as the United Nations System Senior Coordinator for Ebola Virus Disease and of Anthony Banbury as the Deputy Ebola Coordinator and Operation Crisis Manager operating from the United Nations Operations Crisis Centre, in order to assist Governments in the region to address the Ebola outbreak,

“Urging the international community to respond swiftly to the shortage of qualified medical professionals and appropriate equipment and preventive measures necessary to address the Ebola outbreak in West Africa,

“Expressing deep appreciation for and commending the continued contribution and commitment of United Nations personnel, especially the troop- and police-contributing countries of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), to assist in consolidating peace and stability in Liberia, and the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General,

“Noting the possible delays in the conduct of the Special Senatorial Election scheduled for October 2014,

“Taking note of the report dated 15 August 2014 of the Secretary-General (S/2014/598) and also taking note of the letter dated 28 August 2014 of the Secretary-General (S/2014/644) and his recommendation to defer consideration of the proposals outlined in his 15 August 2014 report (S/2014/598) for the extension of the mandate of UNMIL,

“Determining that the situation in Liberia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to extend the mandate of UNMIL until 31 December 2014;

“2.   Endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendation in his letter dated 28 August 2014 (S/2014/644) to defer consideration of the proposals in his report (S/2014/598) of 15 August 2014 on adjustments to the mandate of UNMIL;

“3.   Expresses its intention to further extend the mandate of UNMIL to 30 September 2015 after consideration of the Secretary-General’s proposals;

“4.   Requests the Secretary-General to keep it updated on the situation in Liberia by no later than 15 November 2014;

“5.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record