THE UN MISSION IN POST-WAR LIBERIA SECURITY SECTOR REFORM AND TRANSITION: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

ABSTRACT The research analyzes the Security Sector Reform in post-war Liberia under the auspices of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and the United States Government, from 2003 until the transition of security responsibilities to the government of Liberia in 2016. The objectives of the research basically examines the capability of the security sector as it relates to the continuation and provision of national security post-UNMIL and most significantly, after a reformed security sector. Furthermore, it delves into the challenges and prospects of the security sector, including other peacebuilding initiatives intended towards sustainable peace and security. The methodology of the research traced the origin of the civil crisis in Liberia and the collection of data relating to UNMIL’s intervention and its peacekeeping operational mandates, which included the reformation and restructuring of all major security apparatuses of Liberia with significant aid from the United States Government. The research findings suggested that after a complete reformation and restructuring of Liberia’s security sector, there are unarguable operational and administrative challenges still affecting major security apparatuses of the nation. Therefore, the effective functioning and provision of national security contains delicate challenges which are yet to be address irrespective of the tremendous progress been made in the reformation of the sector by UNMIL and the United States Government. The findings also realized that the government’s post-UNMIL security transition plan in providing sustainable peace and security seem hopeful but the present fragility of peace and security in post-war Liberia may remain if the multifold challenges of the sector which includes, inadequate logistical support, low budgetary allotments, insufficient capacity building, unethical behaviors, corruptions, weak supervisions, etc., are not discreetly tackle.