UN forces struggled to contain flare-up in inter- communal violence Monrovia 29 October; at least 5 killed. Daylight curfew imposed and UN soldiers told to “shoot on sight”. Revenge attacks 31 October. 95,000 former fighters considered disarmed in Liberia as of 31 October deadline for full disarmament, but UN Special Representative Jacques Klein warned of funding shortfall for reintegration. UN said disarmament around Harper in southeast Liberia slower than expected as former MODEL fighters believe greater compensation available from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire. UN Security Council declined to lift sanctions on Liberia 7 October.

Disagreement continued over end date for Liberia’s disarmament program. UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) opened first disarmament site in Lofa County 8 September at Voinjama. Lofa county stronghold to some 5,000 Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy rebels. UNMIL set up site at Harper 29 September – stronghold for Movement for Democracy in Liberia rebels. UNHCR announced resettlement of IDPs beginning November. UNMIL mandate extended for 1 year by UN Security Council 17 September.

UN announced Liberian disarmament would end December, later than planned; claimed 68,730 ex- combatants demobilised to date. Reports suggested former Liberian strongman Charles Taylor linked to al Qaeda.

Disarmament and reintegration program continued as UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) extended its control towards border areas; claimed 54,000 ex-combatants disarmed. Fears of cross-border smuggling prompted UN probe 21 July.

UN peacekeeping mission (UNMIL) said 42,755 ex-combatants now disarmed, though reintegration and gun-smuggling remain problematic. Power dispute within LURD rebel group led to suspension of Sekou Conneh as leader 7 June. Chayee Doe named acting head, but died 2 days later from cerebral illness. 160 of eventual 460 UN Senegalese troops deployed Maryland county southeast of Monrovia 22 June to secure border. Setback for interim leader Gyude Bryant as UN Security Council left Liberian sanctions unchanged 17 June, claiming progress in monitoring diamond origins and timber revenues insufficient. Reassessment planned 10 December.

Volatility continued, including killing of U.S. Military Assessment employee 25 May. Doubts persist over willingness of militias to disarm. UN Mission to Liberia (UNMIL) discovered “high value” arms cache near Sierra Leone border 1 May. Monrovia riot by 500 ex-combatants quelled 18 May by UN peacekeepers. UNMIL claimed 35,000 combatants have now been disarmed. UN launched recruitment process for new police force. Meanwhile UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone ruled against former Liberian President Charles Taylor’s appeal not to be tried for war-crimes.

UN resumed disarmament and reintegration process 15 April after 2-month information campaign. Process progressing well, with UN stating some 19,000 former combatants reported for demobilisation, although only 11,000 weapons handed in - leading to concerns that some former fighters may be stockpiling weapons. UN hopes to disarm 40,000 fighters.

UN mission (UNAMIL) sent peacekeeping reinforcements to port city Buchanan 21 March to stop looting spree by MODEL rebels. UNMIL expressed concern that none of pre-conditions necessary for demobilisation and reintegration, such as construction of cantonments, have yet been met, though progress being made by UN and government and militia forces.

Donors conference in NY raised $520 million in pledges for reconstruction, exceeding expectations. Disarmament and reintegration program unlikely to start until mid- March at earliest. Refugees returning from neighbouring countries as peacekeepers restore security to border towns. Human Rights Watch issued report on plight of child soldiers.

Peacekeepers deployed to several rebel held towns for first time. Widespread looting, rapes and abduction still occurring in areas lacking peacekeepers. Disarmament of fighters delayed to February, possibly March. UN to appeal for up to U.S.$500 million in aid at February donor conference. Rebel groups began to fracture: Ayesha Keita-Conneh, wife of LURD rebel leader, Sekou Conneh, (and spiritual adviser to and adoptive daughter of Guinea’s President Conté) announced she had replaced husband as leader; he denied claim. MODEL rebels and LURD faction led by Conneh called for leader of transitional government, Gyude Bryant, to step down 25 January, but MODEL later retracted call.