               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/1885 (2009)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                15 September 2009




               Resolution 1885 (2009)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 6188th meeting, on
               15 September 2009

                    The Security Council,
                     Recalling its resolutions and statements by its President concerning the
               situation in Liberia and the subregion, in particular its resolutions 1836 (2008), 1626
               (2005), and 1509 (2003),
                    Welcoming the Secretary-General’s report of 10 August 2009 (S/2009/411), as
               well as his special report of 10 June 2009 (S/2009/299), and taking note of the
               recommendations in both reports,
                     Welcoming the efforts of the Government of Liberia to further national
               reconciliation and economic recovery, and to combat corruption and promote
               efficiency and good governance, in particular steps taken with regard to
               strengthening Government control over natural resources and to address the
               important issue of land reform,
                    Taking note of the conclusion of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation
               Commission, which provides an important opportunity for the people of Liberia to
               move the national reconciliation agenda forward and engage in a constructive
               national dialogue on the root causes of the Liberian conflict,
                    Recognizing that lasting stability in Liberia and the subregion will require
               well-functioning and sustainable security and rule of law sectors, and noting the
               continuing progress being made in developing and professionalizing the Armed
               Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police,
                      Recalling the benchmarks for the drawdown phase of United Nations Mission
               in Liberia (UNMIL), including core benchmarks on the Liberia National Police and
               the national security strategy, and noting with concern those areas where progress is
               still slow,
                    Recognizing the significant challenges that remain across all sectors, including
               continuing problems with violent crime,
                    Welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping
               operations, including UNMIL, under close review and stressing the need for the
               Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments,



09-51401 (E)
*0951401*

S/RES/1885 (2009)


               consistent with the statement of its President dated 5 August 2009 on United
               Nations peacekeeping operations (S/PRST/2009/24),
                    Expressing its appreciation for the continuing support of the international
               community, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the
               African Union (AU),
                     Noting with concern the threats to subregional stability, including to Liberia, in
               particular posed by drug trafficking, organized crime, and illicit arms,
                     Commending the work of UNMIL, under the leadership of the Special
               Representative of the Secretary-General, for its continuing and significant
               contribution to maintaining peace and stability in Liberia, and welcoming the close
               cooperation between UNMIL and the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire
               (UNOCI), as well as with neighbouring Governments, in coordinating security
               activities in the border areas in the subregion,
                     Taking note of the conclusions of the needs assessment mission that evaluated
               the requirements of the Liberian National Elections Commission to prepare for and
               conduct the October 2011 general presidential and legislative elections, and
               stressing that the responsibility for the preparation and conduct of the elections rests
               with the Liberian authorities, with the support of the international community,
                   Welcoming progress achieved on the benchmarks laid out in the Secretary-General’s reports of 12 September 2006, 9 August 2007, and 19 March 2008,
                     Recalling its resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women, peace, and
               security and condemning any sexual violence, further welcoming the continuing
               efforts of UNMIL, in close cooperation with the Government of Liberia, to promote
               and protect the rights of civilians, in particular women and children, noting with
               appreciation that the Government’s strategy for implementation of resolution 1325
               (2000) is in place, recognizing the challenges that remain in addressing the serious
               issues of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse, and calling on
               member states to increase support to the government in its efforts,
                    Encouraging Liberian authorities to expedite their efforts to constitute the
               Independent National Commission on Human Rights,
                    Reiterating the continuing need for UNMIL’s support for the security of the
               Special Court for Sierra Leone, subject to periodic review as the Court’s work
               progresses,
                     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 that the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia
               (UNMIL) shall be extended until 30 September 2010;
                     2.    Authorizes UNMIL to assist the Liberian government with the 2011
               general presidential and legislative elections, by providing logistical support,
               particularly to facilitate access to remote areas, coordinating international electoral
               assistance, and supporting Liberian institutions and political parties in creating an
               atmosphere conducive to the conduct of peaceful elections;
                    3.    Calls upon Liberian authorities to ensure that the outstanding issues
               regarding the electoral legal framework, including delineation of constituencies and


2                                                                                                         09-51401

                                                                                                  S/RES/1885 (2009)


           proposed constitutional amendments,         are   finalized   to   facilitate   adequate
           preparations for the elections;
                 4.   Further endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the
           conduct of free and fair, conflict-free elections be a core benchmark for UNMIL’s
           future drawdown;
                 5.   Reaffirms its intention to authorize the Secretary-General to redeploy
           troops, as may be needed, between UNMIL and UNOCI on a temporary basis in
           accordance with the provisions of resolution 1609 (2005) and calls on troop
           contributing countries to support the efforts of the Secretary-General in this regard;
                 6.   Endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendation in his special report
           of 10 June 2009 (S/2009/299) to implement the third stage of UNMIL’s drawdown,
           from October 2009 to May 2010, repatriating 2,029 military personnel, three attack
           helicopters, and 72 armoured personnel carriers, leaving UNMIL’s military strength
           at 8,202 personnel, including 7,952 troops in Liberia and 250 at the Special Court
           for Sierra Leone and keeping the UNMIL police component at its current authorized
           strength;
                 7.   Requests the Secretary-General, following consultations with the
           Government of Liberia, to develop and submit to the Council a strategic integrated
           plan to coordinate activity towards the achievement of benchmarks, and recalling
           the statements of its President on 22 July 2009 (PRST/2009/23) and 5 August 2009
           (PRST/2009/24) which emphasized the need for coherence between, and integration
           of, peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development to achieve an
           effective response to post-conflict situations, requests the Secretary-General to
           provide in his reports an indication of progress toward achieving a coordinated
           United Nations approach in Liberia and in particular on critical gaps to achieving
           peacebuilding objectives;
                 8.    Underscores the importance that the military concept of operations and
           rules of engagement be regularly updated and be fully in line with the provisions of
           this resolution, and requests the Secretary-General to report on them to the Security
           Council and Troop Contributing Countries;
                 9.    Further requests the Secretary-General to continue to monitor progress
           on core benchmarks, in particular on progress on preparations for the 2011
           elections, and on the progress made towards building the capability of the Liberia
           National Police, and to report regularly on that progress to the Security Council;
                 10. Calls upon the Government of Liberia, in coordination with UNMIL, the
           United Nations country team and international partners to redouble efforts to
           develop national security and rule of law institutions that are fully independently
           operational, and to this end encourages coordinated progress on the implementation
           of all Security and Justice Development Plans, including the Liberia National Police
           strategic plan referenced in paragraph 29 of the Secretary-General’s report of
           10 August 2009 (S/2009/411);
                 11. Further requests the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed of
           the situation on the ground and to provide by 15 August 2010 a report on the issues
           addressed in paragraphs 2 and 9;
                12.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.




09-51401                                                                                                         3

