Government pledges £9m to Liberian peace initiatives

The government has pledged to commit £9 million in funding to support humanitarian aid and disarmament programmes in war-torn Liberia.

The funding package will also assist a UN-led programme to disarm and reintegrate into society the 40,000 or so combatants involved in Liberia's long-running civil war, which was ended by a peace agreement signed last August.

The funding is in addition to £7.6 million provided by Britain to support humanitarian agencies, almost £1 million to support West African peacekeepers in 2003, a £6 million contribution to the EU effort in Liberia, on top of our £14 million contribution to UNMIL.

Announcing Britain's continued support for reconstruction at the Donors Conference in New York, Foreign Minister for Africa, Chris Mullin said: "The UK has supported the establishment of security in Sierra Leone, and is committed to making its peace long term. It is encouraging that Liberia now has the opportunity to take the same path. Peace in Liberia is key to peace in the region. This conference marks a new beginning for the people of Liberia and an opportunity for the region."

The conference was convened jointly by the National Transitional Government of Liberia, the UN and the World Bank.

It is hoped that $400 million to $500 million will be raised for the two-year period of the transitional government, up to national elections due in October 2005. The two main funders, the US and EU, have already pledged around $300 million.

The peace agreement was signed in August 2003 in Accra after negotiation by West African leaders, in particular Presidents Kufuor of Ghana and Obasanjo of Nigeria. Former President Charles Taylor went into exile in Nigeria on 7 August. He has been indicted by the Sierra Leone Special Court for his role in arming and supporting the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone during the 1990s. His removal is seen as key to the restoration of peace to the region, the Foreign Office said.

(gmcg)