ACCRA/GHANA August 18, 2003
DOCUMENT: Liberia Comprehensive Peace Agreement
COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA
AND
THE LIBERIANS UNITED FOR RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRACY(LURD)
AND
THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY IN LIBERIA (MODEL)
AND
POLITICAL PARTIES
ACCRA 18th AUGUST, 2003
PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA (GOL), THE LIBERIANS UNITED FOR RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRACY (LURD), THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY IN LIBERIA (MODEL) AND THE POLITICAL PARTIES ACCRA, GHANA, 18TH AUGUST 2003
WE, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, THE LIBERIANS UNITED FOR RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRACY (LURD), THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY IN LIBERIA (MODEL) AND THE POLITICAL PARTIES.
Having met in Akosombo and Accra, Ghana, from 4 June, 2003 to 18th August 2003, to seek a negotiated settlement of the crisis in Liberia, within the framework of the ECOWAS Peace Process for Liberia, under the auspices of the current Chairman of ECOWAS, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana, and the mediation of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State of Nigeria;
Gravely concerned about the current civil war that has engulfed our country leading to loss of innumerable lives, wanton destruction of our infrastructure and properties and massive displacement of our people;
Recalling earlier initiatives undertaken by the Member States of ECOWAS and the International Community, aimed at bringing about a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Liberia;
Moved by the imperative need to respond to the ardent desire of the people of Liberia for genuine lasting peace, national unity and reconciliation;
Reaffirming the objective of promoting better relations among ourselves by ensuring a stable political environment in which our people can live in freedom under the law and in true and lasting peace, free from any threat against their security;
Determined to concert our efforts to promote democracy in the sub-region on the basis of political pluralism and respect for fundamental human rights as embodied in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and other widely recognised international instruments on human rights, including those contained in the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia;
Guided by the principles of democratic practice, good governance and respect for the rule of law enunciated in the ECOWAS Declaration on Political Principles of 1991 and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance adopted in 2001;
Committed to promoting an all-inclusive participation in governance and the advancement of democracy in Liberia, as well as promoting full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights;
Concerned about the socio-economic well being of the people of Liberia;
Determined to foster mutual trust and confidence amongst ourselves and establish mechanisms which will facilitate genuine healing and reconciliation amongst Liberians;
Also determined to establish sustainable peace and security, and pledging forthwith to settle all past, present and future differences by peaceful and legal means and to refrain from the threat of, or use of force;
Recognising that the Liberian crisis also has external dimensions that call for good neighbourliness in order to have durable peace and stability in the Mano River Union States and in the sub-region;
Re-committing ourselves to the scrupulous observance of the Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed at Accra, Ghana on 17th June 2003, which constitutes an integral part of this Peace Agreement and is thereby appended as Annex I to the present Agreement;
Re-calling the establishment in 2002, of an International Contact Group on Liberia to support the efforts of ECOWAS in bringing durable peace to Liberia;
Committed to the establishment of an orderly transition process, to prevent the outbreak of future civil conflict in Liberia and the consequences of conflicts;
Desirous of seeking international assistance and support in restoring peace and stability to Liberia;
HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
PART ONE ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Agreement:
"AU" means the African Union;
"Ceasefire Agreement" means the Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed by the GOL, the LURD and the MODEL on 17th June 2003;
"CMC" means the Contracts and Monopolies Commission;
"DDRR" means Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration;
"ECOWAS" means the Economic Community of West African States;
"EU" means the European Union;
"GOL" means the present Government of Liberia;
"GRC" means the Governance Reform Commission;
"ICGL" means the International Contact Group on Liberia;
"ICRC" means the International Committee of the Red Cross;
"IMC" means the Implementation Monitoring Committee;
"INCHR" means Independent National Commission on Human Rights established under Article XII of this Agreement;
"Irregular Forces" mean all forces that are not established in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Liberia
"Interposition Force" means the ECOWAS Mission in Liberia which will be part of the ISF;
"ISF" means the International Stabilisation Force established under paragraph 7 of the Ceasefire Agreement;
"JMC" means The Joint Monitoring Committee established under paragraph 6 of the Ceasefire Agreement;
"JVT" means the Joint Verification Team established under paragraph 3 of the Ceasefire Agreement;
"LNP" means the Liberian National Police;
"LURD" means Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy;
"MODEL" means Movement for Democracy in Liberia;
"NCDDRR" means the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration established under Article VI of this Agreement;
"NEC" means the National Electoral Commission;
"NTGL" means the National Transitional Government of Liberia;
"NTLA" means National Transitional Legislative Assembly;
"Parties" means the Parties to this Agreement;
"Political Parties" means Political Parties registered under the laws of the Republic of Liberia.
"The Agreement" means this Comprehensive Peace Agreement;
"Chairman" means the Head of the NTGL;
"Vice-Chairman" means the Deputy Head of the NTGL;
"TRC" means Truth and Reconciliation Commission established under Article XIII of this Agreement;
"UN" means the United Nations Organization;
"UNCIVPOL" means the United Nations Civil Police Component of the United Nations Stabilisation Force;
"UNICEF" means United Nations Children Fund;
"UNHCR" means the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights;
"UNDP" means the United Nations Development Programme.
PART TWO CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES
ARTICLE II CEASEFIRE
The armed conflict between the present Government of Liberia (GOL), the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) is hereby ended with immediate effect. Accordingly, all the Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement shall ensure that the ceasefire established at 0001 hours on 18th June, 2003, results in the observation of a total and permanent cessation of hostilities forthwith.
ARTICLE III CEASEFIRE MONITORING
1. The Parties call on ECOWAS to immediately establish a Multinational Force that will be deployed as an Interposition Force in Liberia, to secure the ceasefire, create a zone of separation between the belligerent forces and thus provide a safe corridor for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and free movement of persons.
2. The mandate of the ECOWAS Interposition Force shall also include the following:
a. Facilitating and monitoring the disengagement of forces as provided under Article V of this Agreement;
b. Obtaining data and information on activities relating to military forces of the parties to the Ceasefire Agreement and coordinating all military movements;
c. Establishing conditions for the initial stages of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) activities;
d. Ensuring respect by the Parties for the definitive cessation of hostilities and all other aspects of the Ceasefire Agreement;
e. Ensuring the security of senior political and military leaders;
f. Also ensuring the security of all personnel and experts involved in the implementation of this Agreement in collaboration with all parties;
g. Monitoring the storage of arms, munitions and equipment, including supervising the collection, storage and custody of battlefield or offensive armament in the hands of combatants;
3. The Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) established under the terms of the Ceasefire Agreement, and composed of representatives of ECOWAS, the UN, AU, ICGL and Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement shall continue to supervise and monitor the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement. ;
4. Prior to the deployment of the International Stabilisation Force, a representative of ECOWAS shall chair the JMC.
5. The JMC shall:
a. Resolve disputes concerning implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement, including the investigation of any alleged violation and also recommend remedial action for confirmed ceasefire violations.
b. Submit for approval, its recommendations to the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) referred to under Article XXVIII(2) and (3) in this Agreement which is seized with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of this Peace Agreement.
6. The Parties shall provide the JMC with any relevant information on the organisation, equipment and locations of their forces, and such information will be kept confidential.
ARTICLE IV INTERNATIONAL STABILIZATION FORCE
1. The GOL, the LURD, the MODEL and the Political Parties agree on the need for the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Liberia. Accordingly, the Parties hereby request the United Nations in collaboration with ECOWAS, the AU and the ICGL to facilitate, constitute, and deploy a United Nations Chapter VII force in the Republic of Liberia to support the transitional government and to assist in the implementation of this Agreement.
2. The ECOWAS Interposition Force is expected to become a part of the International Stabilisation Force.
3. The Parties request the ISF to assume the following mandate:
a. Observe and monitor the ceasefire;
b. Investigate violations of the security aspects of this Agreement and take necessary measures to ensure compliance.
c. Monitor disengagement and cantonment of forces of the Parties and provide security at disarmament/cantonment sites;
d. Collect weapons at disarmament sites and elsewhere and ensure that the weapons so collected are properly accounted for and adequately secured;
e. Assist in the coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, refugees, returnees and other war-affected persons;
f. Facilitate the provision and maintenance of humanitarian assistance and protect displaced persons, refugees, returnees and other affected persons;
g. Verify all information, data and activities relating to the military forces of the Parties;
h. Along with ECOWAS and the International Contact Group on Liberia, provide advice and support to the Transitional Government provided for in this Agreement on the formation of a new and restructured Liberian Army;
i. Assist with security for elections;
j. Take the necessary means whenever the need arises and as it deems within its capabilities, to protect civilians, senior political and military leaders under imminent threat of physical violence;
k. Coordinate with ECOWAS in the implementation of this Agreement;
3. The Parties expect that units of the ISF shall be selected from countries acceptable to all the Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement.
4. The Parties to this Agreement call on the ISF to remain in place until otherwise determined by the UN Security Council and the elected Government of Liberia.
ARTICLE V DISENGAGEMENT
1. There shall be immediate disengagement of forces of the Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement in line with the principles of that Agreement.
2. Disengagement of forces shall mean the immediate breaking of tactical contact between opposing military forces of the GOL, the LURD, and the MODEL, at places where they are in direct contact or within range of direct fire weapons.
3. Immediate disengagement at the initiative of all military units shall be limited to the effective range of direct fire weapons. Further disengagement to pull all weapons out of range shall be conducted under the guidance of the ISF. The Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement undertake to remain in their disengagement positions until the conclusion of cantonment plans by the International Stabilisation Force and the NCDDRR established under Article VI(8) of the Agreement. They are also responsible for armed groups operating within their territories.
4. Where immediate disengagement is not possible, a framework and sequence of disengagement shall be agreed upon by all parties to the Ceasefire through the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC).
5. Wherever disengagement by movement is impossible or impractical, alternative solutions requiring that weapons are rendered safe shall be designed by the ISF.
PART THREE
ARTICLE VI CANTONMENT, DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION (CDDRR)
1. The Parties commit themselves to ensuring the prompt and efficient implementation of a national process of cantonment, disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration.
2. The ISF shall conduct the disarmament of all combatants of the Parties including paramilitary groups.
3. Following disengagement, all forces shall withdraw from combat positions to cantonment locations in accordance with the withdrawal and cantonment plan to be published by the International Stabilisation Force and the NCDDRR, no later than thirty (30) days after installation of the NTGL. The current Armed Forces of Liberia shall be confined to the barracks, their arms placed in armouries and their ammunition in storage bunkers.
4. All arms and ammunition shall be placed under constant surveillance by the ISF.
5. The JMC shall verify the reported data and information provided by the GOL, the LURD and the MODEL about their forces. All forces shall be restricted to the declared and recorded locations and all movements shall be authorized by the JMC and the ISF.
6. All combatants shall remain in the declared and recorded locations until they proceed to reintegration activities or training for entry into the restructured Liberian armed forces or into civilian life.
7. The ISF is requested to deploy to all disarmament and demobilization locations in order to facilitate and monitor the program of disarmament.
8. There shall be an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (NCDDRR), to coordinate DDRR activities.
9. The NCDDRR shall comprise representatives from relevant NTGL Agencies, the GOL, LURD, MODEL, ECOWAS, the United Nations, the African Union and the ICGL.
10. It shall oversee and coordinate the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration of combatants, working closely with the ISF and all relevant international and Liberian institutions and agencies.
11. Upon the signing of the present Agreement, the Transitional Government provided for in this Agreement, shall request the International Community to assist in the implementation of the Cantonment, Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration program through the provision of adequate financial and technical resources.
PART FOUR SECURITY SECTOR REFORM
ARTICLE VII DISBANDMENT OF IRREGULAR FORCES, REFORMING AND RESTRUCTURING OF THE LIBERIAN ARMED FORCES
1. The Parties agree that:
a. All irregular forces shall be disbanded.
b. The Armed Forces of Liberia shall be restructured and will have a new command structure. The forces may be drawn from the ranks of the present GOL forces, the LURD and the MODEL, as well as from civilians with appropriate background and experience. The Parties request that ECOWAS, the UN, AU, and the ICGL provide advisory staff, equipment, logistics and experienced trainers for the security reform effort. The Parties also request that the United States of America play a lead role in organising this restructuring program.
2. The following Principles shall be taken into account in the formation of the restructured Liberian Armed Forces:
a. Incoming service personnel shall be screened with respect to educational, professional, medical and fitness qualifications as well as prior history with regard to human rights abuses;
b. The restructured force shall take into account the country's national balance. It shall be composed without any political bias to ensure that it represents the national character of Liberia;
c. The Mission of the Armed Forces of Liberia shall be to defend the national sovereignty and in extremis, respond to natural disasters;
d. All Parties shall cooperate with ECOWAS, the UN, the AU, the ICGL and the United States of America.
3. All Parties together shall organise Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs to sensitise the Liberian public as to the mission and activities of the restructuring plan.
ARTICLE VIII RESTRUCTURING OF THE LIBERIAN NATIONAL POLICE (LNP) AND OTHER SECURITY SERVICES
1. There shall be an immediate restructuring of the National Police Force, the Immigration Force, Special Security Service (SSS), custom security guards and such other statutory security units. These restructured security forces shall adopt a professional orientation that emphasizes democratic values and respect for human rights, a non-partisan approach to duty and the avoidance of corrupt practices.
2. The Special Security Units including the Anti-Terrorist Unit, the Special Operations Division (SOD) of the Liberian National Police Force and such paramilitary groups that operate within organisations as the National Ports Authority (NPA), the Liberian Telecommunications Corporation (NTC), the Liberian Refining Corporation (LPRC) and the Airports shall be disarmed and restructured.
3. Until the deployment of newly trained national police, maintenance of law and order throughout Liberia shall be the responsibility of an interim police force.
4. The Parties call on the United Nations Civil Police components (UNCIVPOL) within the ISF to monitor the activities of the interim police force and assist in the maintenance of law and order throughout Liberia.
5. The Parties also call on UNCIVPOL and other relevant International Agencies to assist in the development and implementation of training programs for the LNP.
6. The interim police force will only be allowed to carry side arms.
7. All large calibre weapons shall be turned over to the ISF.
PART FIVE RELEASE OF PRISONERS AND ABDUCTEES
ARTICLE IX RELEASE OF PRISONERS AND ABDUCTEES
All political prisoners and prisoners of war, including non-combatants and abductees shall be released immediately and unconditionally by the Parties.
ARTICLE X ASSISTANCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS AND RELEVANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
All Parties shall provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other relevant national and international agencies with information regarding their prisoners of war, abductees or persons detained because of the war, to enable the ICRC and other relevant national and international agencies visit them and verify any details regarding their condition and status before their release.
ARTICLE XI
The Parties call on the ICRC and such other relevant national and international agencies to give all the necessary assistance to the released persons, including re-location to any part of Liberia.
PART SIX HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
ARTICLE XII HUMAN RIGHTS
1a. The Parties agree that the basic civil and political rights enunciated in the Declaration and Principles on Human Rights adopted by the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS, in particular, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, and as contained in the Laws of Liberia, shall be fully guaranteed and respected within Liberia.
b. These basic civil and political rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from torture, the right to a fair trial, freedom of conscience, expression and association, and the right to take part in the governance of one's country.
2a. The Parties agree on the need for the establishment of an Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).
b. The INCHR shall monitor compliance with the basic rights guaranteed in the present Peace Agreement as well as promote human rights education throughout the various sectors of Liberian society, including schools, the media, the police and the military.
3. The INCHR shall work together with local Liberian human rights and civil society organizations, international human rights organisations and other relevant U.N. agencies to monitor and strengthen the observance of human rights in the country.
4. Technical, financial and material assistance may be sought by the INCHR from the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), the African Commission on Human and People's Rights and other relevant international organizations.
ARTICLE XIII TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
1. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission shall be established to provide a forum that will address issues of impunity, as well as an opportunity for both the victims and perpetrators of human rights violations to share their experiences, in order to get a clear picture of the past to facilitate genuine healing and reconciliation.
2. In the spirit of national reconciliation, the Commission shall deal with the root causes of the crises in Liberia, including human rights violations.
3. This Commission shall, among other things, recommend measures to be taken for the rehabilitation of victims of human rights violations.
4. Membership of the Commission shall be drawn from a cross-section of Liberian society. The Parties request that the International Community provide the necessary financial and technical support for the operations of the Commission.
PART SEVEN HUMANITARIAN ISSUES
ARTICLE XIV HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
1a. The Parties re-affirm the commitment made in the Ceasefire Agreement, to provide security guarantees for safe and unhindered access by all humanitarian agencies to vulnerable groups throughout the country, in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in accordance with international conventions, principles and norms governing humanitarian operations.
b. Accordingly, the Parties agree to guarantee the security and movement of humanitarian personnel, that of their properties, goods transported, stocked or distributed, as well as their projects and beneficiaries.
2. The Transitional Government provided for in this agreement shall ensure the establishment of effective administrative and security infrastructure to monitor and support the implementation of these guarantees contained in sub-paragraph 1b of the present Article XIV.
3. The said Transitional Government shall request the International Community to assist in providing humanitarian assistance for those in need, including internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees.
4. The Parties shall ensure the presence of security guarantees for the safe return and resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons and the free movement of persons and goods.
ARTICLE XV INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW
The Parties undertake to respect as well as encourage the Liberian populace to also respect the principles and rules of International Humanitarian law in post-conflict Liberia.
PART EIGHT POLITICAL ISSUES
ARTICLE XVI ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNANCE REFORM COMMISSION
1. A Governance Reform Commission is hereby established. The Commission shall be a vehicle for the promotion of the principles of good governance in Liberia.
2. The mandate of the Commission shall be to:
a. Review the existing program for the Promotion of Good Governance in Liberia, with the objective of adjusting its scope and strategy for implementation;
b. Develop public sector management reforms through assessment, reforms, capacity building and performance monitoring;
c. Ensure transparency and accountability in governance in all government institutions and activities, including acting as the Public Ombudsman;
d. Ensure subsidiarity in governance through decentralisation and participation;
e. Ensure a national and regional balance in appointments without compromising quality and integrity;
f. Ensure an enabling environment which will attract private sector direct investment;
g. Monitor, assess and report to the NTLA on the implementation and impact of activities undertaken to encourage the practice of good governance in Liberia.
3. The Structure of the Commission shall be as follows:
a. The Commission shall be established as an independent Commission with seven (7) permanent members appointed by the Chairman and confirmed by the NTLA, from a list provided by civil society organisations. It shall have a chairperson who must be from the civil society. Its membership shall include women.
b. The members must have experience in one or more of the following: Public Sector Management, Corporate Law, Finance and Auditing Regulations, Trade Policies and NGO activities. They must be men and women of known integrity with national and/or international experience.
4. The Commission shall submit quarterly reports directly to the NTLA who shall make recommendations thereon to the Chairman for action.
5. The NTGL calls on the UNDP, relevant international organisations and the ICGL to provide financial, logistics and technical support for the Commission.
ARTICLE XVII CONTRACT AND MONOPOLIES COMMISSION (CMC)
1. A Contract and Monopolies Commission is hereby established in Liberia to oversee activities of a contractual nature undertaken by the NTGL.
2. Its mandate shall include:
a. Ensuring that all public financial and budgetary commitments entered into by the NTGL are transparent, non-monopolistic and in accordance with the laws of Liberia and internationally accepted norms of commercial practice;
b. Ensuring that public officers will not use their positions to benefit from any contract financed from public funds;
c. Publishing all tenders in the media and on its own website to ensure maximum competition and transparency. The Commission shall also publish on its website the result of tenders as well as a record of all commercial entities that have participated and succeeded in reviewing contracts;
d. Ensuring the formulation and effective implementation of sound macro-economic policies that will support sustainable development goals;
e. Collaborate with the international institutions to provide finance to Liberia in carrying out its functions
3. a. The Commission shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Chairman, on the approval of the NTLA, from the broad spectrum of civil society, who may or may not be technocrats.
b. The members shall be persons of sound judgement and integrity who are independent of the commercial sector. The members must have sufficient experience to be able to review contract documents and procedures to ensure that public funds are used without favour and with complete transparency.
c. The members of the CMC shall be assisted by independent national and international experts.
ARTICLE XVIII ELECTORAL REFORM
1. The Parties agree that the present electoral system in Liberia shall be reformed.
2a. In this regard and amongst other measures that may be undertaken, the National Elections Commission (NEC) shall be reconstituted and shall be independent. It shall operate in conformity with UN standards, in order to ensure that the rights and interests of Liberians are guaranteed, and that the elections are organized in a manner that is acceptable to all.
b. Appointments to the NEC shall be made by the Chairman with the advice and consent of the NTLA within three months from the entry into force of this Agreement. It shall be composed of men and women of integrity.
ARTICLE IX ORGANISATION OF ELECTIONS
1. The Parties agree that, given the present circumstances, and until appropriate conditions are met, the Presidential and General elections scheduled for October, 2003 shall be postponed.
2. National elections shall be conducted not later than October, 2005.
3. In order to create appropriate conditions for elections, a re-demarcation of constituencies shall be carried out in order to take account of newly created Counties.
4a. The Parties agree that the Transitional Government provided for in this Agreement shall request the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS and other members of the International Community as appropriate, to jointly conduct, monitor, and supervise the next elections in the country.
b. Voters education and registration programs shall be organized by the newly reconstituted NEC, in collaboration with other national and International organisations under the supervision of the United Nations.
ARTICLE XX INTERIM PERIOD
1a. With the exit of the President Charles Taylor of the Republic of Liberia, the GOL shall be headed by the Vice President for an interim period.
b. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the current President for a period not beyond 14th October 2003, whereupon the Transitional Government provided for in this Agreement shall be immediately installed.
ARTICLE XXI ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
1. An all-inclusive Transitional Government to be called the National Transitional Government of Liberia, (NTGL), is hereby established to replace the present Government of Liberia.
2. The NTGL shall be inaugurated and fully commence operations by 14th October, 2003 and its mandate shall expire on the third Monday of January 2006 when the next elected Government of Liberia shall be inaugurated.
3. Immediately upon the installation of the NTGL in Liberia, all cabinet Ministers, Deputy and Assistant Ministers, heads of autonomous agencies, commissions, heads of public corporations and State-owned enterprises of the current GOL shall be deemed to have resigned. This does not preclude re-appointment according to the appropriate provisions of this Agreement.
4. The authority of the NTGL shall be established and recognised throughout the territory of the Republic of Liberia, immediately upon its installation in Monrovia. The NTGL shall have control over the entire territory of Liberia.
5. The LURD, MODEL, and all irregular forces of the GOL shall cease to exist as military forces, upon completion of disarmament.
6. There shall be no restriction on members of the LURD and MODEL to engage in national politics through the formation of political parties or otherwise, save and except those restrictions imposed on all parties and associations by the relevant laws of Liberia.
ARTICLE XXII MANDATE OF THE NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA
1. The primary responsibility of the NTGL shall be to ensure the scrupulous implementation of this Peace Agreement.
2. In addition to normal State functions, its mandate shall include the following:
a. Implementation of the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement;
b. Overseeing and coordinating implementation of the political and rehabilitation programs enunciated in this Peace Agreement;
c. Promotion of reconciliation to ensure the restoration of peace and stability to the country and its people;
d. Contribution to the preparation and conduct of internationally supervised elections in October 2005, for the inauguration of an elected Government for Liberia in January 2006.
ARTICLE XXIII STRUCTURE OF THE NTGL
The NTGL shall consist of three branches, namely:
i. The National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA); ii. The Executive; and iii. The Judiciary.
ARTICLE XXIV THE NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (NTLA)
1. There is hereby established a National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) in Liberia which shall reflect a broad spectrum of the Liberian society.
2. The NTLA shall be unicameral in nature and shall replace, within the transitional period, the entire Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
3. The NTLA shall have a maximum of Seventy-six (76) members who shall come from the following entities:
a. Each of the fifteen (15) Counties.
b. The present Government of Liberia, the LURD, MODEL, the Political Parties, Civil Society and Interest Groups including the National Bar Association, the Liberian Business Organisations, Women Organizations, Trade Unions, Teachers Union, Refugees, the Liberians in the Diaspora/America and the Youth.
4. The formula for the composition of the NTLA shall be as follows:
GOL - 12 seats LURD - 12 seats MODEL - 12 seats Political Parties - 18 seats Civil Society and Special Interest Groups - 7 seats Counties - 15 seats
5 a. Selection of members of the NTLA shall be carried out in Liberia and shall be subject to internal consultations amongst the different entities identified in paragraphs 3 and 4 above.
b. The Mediation Committee from the Accra Peace Talks may be present during consultations for the selection of members of the Legislative Assembly and shall ensure that the members of the Assembly meet the criteria prescribed in Appendix 1 to Annex 2
6 a. The NTLA shall elect a Speaker to head the Assembly as well as one (1) Deputy Speaker.
b. Guidelines for the elections are defined under Annex 2 which is attached to this Agreement and is an integral part of the Peace Agreement.
c. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker within the NTGL shall not contest for any elective office during the 2005 elections.
7. The NTLA shall have responsibility for the following:
a. Assuming responsibility for the country's legislative functions;
b. Approving the policies and programs of the NTGL for implementation by the Cabinet;
c. Encouraging and supporting the emergence of a new democratic space, particularly in the areas of human rights and freedom of expression.
8. Two-thirds (2/3) of members of the NTLA shall form the quorum for meetings of the Assembly.
9. The decisions of the NTLA shall require the approval of at least 51% of the entire membership of the NTLA.
10. The NTLA shall adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of its proceedings.
ARTICLE XXV THE EXECUTIVE
1. The NTGL shall be headed by a person to be called the Transitional Chairman. The Transitional Chairman shall be assisted by a Transitional Vice-Chairman.
2. Selection of the Transitional Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be by consensus arising from a process of consultations undertaken by the accredited delegates and observers to the Peace Talks. The selection procedure is defined in Annex 2 to this Agreement.
3. The positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be allocated to the Political Parties and the Civil Society.
4. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman, as well as all principal Cabinet Ministers within the NTGL shall not contest for any elective office during the 2005 elections to be held in Liberia.
ARTICLE XXVI THE CABINET
1. The NTGL shall maintain the profile and structure of the Executive Branch of the present Government of Liberia.
2. In addition to the Commissions established by this Agreement, all existing public corporations and autonomous Agencies/Commissions shall operate under the present transitional arrangement, excluding the existing Commissions that have already been referred to under Articles XII and XIII of this Agreement.
3. The ministers, deputy and assistant ministers, heads of autonomous agencies, commissions, public corporations and state-owned enterprises, who should preferably be technocrats, shall be representatives of a broad cross-section of the Liberian society.
4. Allocation of ministerial positions, deputy and assistant ministerial positions, headship of autonomous agencies, commissions, public corporations and state-owned enterprises shall be made to the Parties to this Agreement through a process of negotiation. The allocations as agreed to by the Parties are contained in Annex 4 attached to the Agreement. Annex 4 is an integral part of this Agreement.
5a. The Parties shall forward to the Transitional Chairman within a period of seven (7) days, the name of one nominee for each position allocated to them.
b. The Transitional Chairman shall within a three (3) day period, forward from the individual list of nominees from the Parties, the candidate for each position, to the NTLA. The NTLA shall, within seven (7) days, confirm or reject the candidate from each of the Parties' list for each position.
c. Where the NTLA is unable to confirm a candidate from any of the Parties' list so submitted, the Chairman shall, following the same procedure as in 'b' above and within three (3) days of receiving notification of non-confirmation from the NTLA, submit other name(s) which shall be obtained for the relevant Parties to the NTLA. The NTLA shall thereafter, within the same seven (7) day period, make a final selection thereon.
6. The mandate of the Cabinet shall include:
a. Implementation of the decisions of the NTGL. b. Conduct of the usual activities of government ministries. c. Initiation of policies and recommendation of same to the Transitional Chairman for approval.
7. The Parties call on the United Nations, the ECOWAS, the AU, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, African Development Bank and other international institutions in a position to do so, to assign trained personnel and international experts for the purpose of providing technical support and assistance to the NTGL, especially for the functioning of its ministries and parastatals.
ARTICLE XXVII THE JUDICIARY
1. The Judiciary shall be the third organ of the NTGL. Its structure shall remain unchanged.
2. Immediately upon the installation of the NTGL, all members of the Supreme Court of Liberia i.e. the Chief Judge and all its Associate Justices shall be deemed to have resigned.
3. Under the NTGL, all new judicial appointments shall be made by the Chairman of the NTGL and approved by the NTLA. Nominations for such judicial appointments shall be based on a shortlist of candidates for each position recommended by the National Bar Association, including the female lawyers.
4. The Chief Justice and all Associate Justices within the NTGL shall not contest for any elective office during the 2005 elections to be held in Liberia.
ARTICLE XXVIII NATIONAL BALANCE
The Parties shall reflect national and gender balance in all elective and non-elective appointments within the NTGL.
PART NINE POST-CONFLICT REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE XXIX INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
1. In view of the recent appointment of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Liberia, the Parties call for the urgent establishment of a consolidated United Nations Mission in Liberia that will have the resources to facilitate the implementation and coordination of the Political, Social, Economic and Security assistance to be extended under this Agreement.
2. The Parties also call on ECOWAS, in collaboration with the UN, AU, EU and ICGL, to set up a monitoring mechanism in the form of an Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) in Monrovia that will ensure effective and faithful implementation of the Peace Agreement by all the Parties.
3. The Parties agree on the need for regular joint meetings between this Implementation Monitoring Committee and representatives of the NTGL, in order to assess implementation of the provisions of this Agreement and agree on recommendations for enhanced implementation.
4. The Parties also agree on the need for ECOWAS, in collaboration with the UN, AU and International Community, to organise periodic donor conferences for resource mobilisation for post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction in Liberia.
ARTICLE XXX REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS
1a. The NTGL, with the assistance of the International Community, shall design and implement a plan for the voluntary return and reintegration of Liberian refugees and internally displaced persons, including non-combatants, in accordance with international conventions, norms and practices.
b. Refugees or internally displaced persons, desirous of returning to their original Counties or permanent residences, shall be assisted to do so.
c. The Parties commit themselves to peaceful co-existence amongst returnees and non-returnees in all Counties.
ARTICLE XXXI VULNERABLE GROUPS
1a. The NTGL shall accord particular attention to the issue of the rehabilitation of vulnerable groups or war victims (children, women, the elderly and the disabled) within Liberia, who have been severely affected by the conflict in Liberia.
b. With the support of the International Community, the NTGL shall design and implement a program for the rehabilitation of such war victims.
2a. The NTGL shall, in addition, accord special attention to the issue of child combatants.
b. It shall, accordingly, mobilize resources with the assistance of the International Community, especially in cooperation with the Office of the U.N. Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, UNICEF, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and other relevant agencies, to address their special demobilization and re-integration needs.
3. The NTGL, in formulating and implementing programs for national rehabilitation, reconstruction and development, for the moral, social and physical reconstruction of Liberia in the post-conflict period, shall ensure that the needs and potentials of the war victims are taken into account and that gender balance is maintained in apportioning responsibilities for program implementation.
PART TEN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT
ARTICLE XXXII RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTIES
1. The Parties to this Peace Agreement undertake that no effort shall be spared to effect the scrupulous respect for and implementation of the provisions contained in this Peace Agreement, to ensure the successful establishment and consolidation of lasting peace in Liberia.
2. The Parties shall ensure that the terms of the present Peace Agreement and written orders requiring compliance, are immediately communicated to all of their forces and supporters.
3. The terms of the Agreement shall concurrently be communicated to the civilian population by radio, television, print, electronic and other media. An Implementation Timetable for the Agreement is hereby attached as Annex 3
ARTICLE XXXIII ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
The Parties call on ECOWAS, the UN, the African Union and the International Contact Group on Liberia (ICGL), to use their good offices and best efforts to ensure that the spirit and content of this Peace Agreement are implemented in good faith and with integrity by the Parties.
ARTICLE XXXIV AMNESTY
The NTGL shall give consideration to a recommendation for general amnesty to all persons and parties engaged or involved in military activities during the Liberian civil conflict that is the subject of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XXXV SPECIAL PROVISIONS
1a. In order to give effect to paragraph 8(i) of the Ceasefire Agreement of 17th June 2003 signed by the GOL, the LURD and the MODEL, for the formation of a Transitional Government, the Parties agree on the need for an extra-Constitutional arrangement that will facilitate its formation and take into account the establishment and proper functioning of the entire transitional arrangement.
b. Accordingly, the provisions of the present Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, the Statutes and all other Liberian laws, which relate to the establishment, composition and powers of the Executive, the Legislative and Judicial branches of the Government, are hereby suspended.
c. For the avoidance of doubt, relevant provisions of the Constitution, statutes and other laws of Liberia which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement are also hereby suspended.
d. All other provisions of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia shall remain in force.
e. All suspended provisions of the Constitution, Statutes and other laws of Liberia, affected as a result of this Agreement, shall be deemed to be restored with the inauguration of the elected Government by January 2006. All legal obligations of the transitional government shall be inherited by the elected government.
PART ELEVEN
ARTICLE XXXVI SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
Any dispute within the NTGL, arising out of the application or interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement shall be settled through a process of mediation to be organised by ECOWAS in collaboration with the UN, the AU and the ICGL.
ARTICLE XXXVII ENTRY INTO FORCE
The present Peace Agreement shall enter into force immediately upon its signature by the Parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized representatives of the Parties have signed this Agreement.
Done at Accra, this 18th day of the month of August, 2003, in three original texts in the English and French languages, each text being equally authentic.
..........................................................................= ....................... FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA (GOL)
............................................ ................................................... FOR LIBERIANS UNITED FOR FOR THE MOVEMENT FOR RECONCILIATION & DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY IN LIBERIA (LURD) (MODEL)
................................................ .................................................. FOR NATIONAL PATRIOTIC FOR UNITY PARTY PARTY
................................................ .................................................. FOR LIBERIAN PEOPLE'S PARTY FOR NATIONAL REFORMATION PARTY
................................................ .................................................. FOR LABOR PARTY FOR LIBERIA UNIFICATION PARTY
................................................ ................................................. FOR LIBERIAN ACTION PARTY FOR PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY
................................................. .................................................. FOR NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FOR FREE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PARTY
................................................. ................................................. FOR REFORMATION ALLIANCE FOR ALL-LIBERIAN COALITION PARTY PARTY
................................................... ................................................. FOR TRUE WHIG PARTY FOR UNITED PEOPLE'S PARTY
................................................... ................................................. FOR LIBERIA NATIONAL UNION FOR EQUAL RIGHTS PARTY
................................................... ................................................. FOR PROGRESSIVE PEOPLES FOR NEW DEAL MOVEMENT PARTY
AS WITNESSES:
................................................... ................................................. FOR INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL FOR THE MANO RIVER WOMEN FOR LIBERIA (IRCL) PEACE NETWORK (MARWOPNET)
.................................................. ................................................. FOR LIBERIAN NATIONAL BAR FOR LIBERIANS IN DIASPORA ASSOCIATION
.................................................. ................................................. FOR LIBERIA LEADERSHIP FOR CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM MOVEMENT FOR LIBERIA
................................................... ................................................ THE MEDIATOR FOR ECOWAS
................................................... ................................................ FOR UNITED NATIONS FOR THE AFRICAN UNION
................................................... ...............................................
