Liberia: Critical time to end the violence

Overview

An uneasy peace reigns in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. Yet most civilians in Liberia still face ongoing attacks on a daily basis. The UN stabilisation force in Liberia (UNMIL) and the regional multinational force that preceded it, the Economic Community of West African States’ Mission in Liberia (ECOMIL), have been crucial in establishing security. But sources from UNMIL admit that their 4,500 peacekeeping troops currently deployed are currently covering only 5 to 10 per cent of the country. For Oxfam and many other humanitarian actors, delays to full deployment of UNMIL are costing lives in the countryside. Fighting, indiscriminate attacks, rapes, killings, looting, and displacement will continue until UNMIL is effectively deployed throughout Liberia.