Dr. John Mackinlay and Dr. Charles Abioudun Alao presented the findings of their report, entitled Liberia 1994: ECOMOG and UNOMIL -- Response To A Complex Emergency, at UNU Public Forum held on 6 February 1995 at United Nations Headquarters. The report is based upon a nine-month study undertaken by the authors from May 1994 to January 1995 as part of the United Nations University's programme on the United Nations System, Global Governance and Security.
The authors began their presentation with an overview of the Liberian civil war, the international and regional response to the emergency, and the Cotonou peace agreement. Three endemic problems were cited and elaborated upon by the authors as the major contributors to the ultimate failure of the peace process: (1) the armed factions; (2) civil disruption; and (3) the war damaged economy. The authors explained the failure of the Cotonou agreement by pointing to the fundamental flaws in the agreement, the failure of the disarmament process, the lack of impartiality on the part of ECOMOG, and the absence of an operational coordinating system. Dr. Mackinlay concluded the presentation by citing some of the important lessons to be drawn from the Liberian experience. Prescriptive comments for future action were offered.
The presentation was followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer period. Questions were raised on the role of leadership in the Liberian peace process, financial resources and logistical support, regional peacekeeping efforts, the role of NGOs, spillover effects on neighboring countries, and the operational coordination among the various parties involved.
Attendance at the presentation ranged between 70 to 75 people, including staff members from various offices within the UN system such as DHA, DPA, DPKO, UNDP, DPI, DDSMS, INSTRAW, and UNICEF. Also present were representatives from the Missions of the Czech Republic, Ireland, Algeria, Hungary, Italy, and Finland, as well as scholars from research institutes such as the Bunche Institute on the UN and the International Peace Academy. Copies of the report were distributed all those in attendance.