The main points of a landmark truce signed on Tuesday between Liberian rebels and President Charles Taylor’s government to end the west African country’s four-year civil war include;
Peace talks to be held over the next 30 days on the formation of an interim government which will not include Taylor.
The establishment and deployment of a ”verification team” to assess the situation on the ground in Liberia. The force will comprise members from the 15 nation Economic Community of West African States regional grouping; a United Nations backed international contact group on Liberia; the African Union; the United Nations and representatives of the two rebel groups and the Liberian government.
The rebel groups and the government to ”identify locations of units including combat equipment” in writing to the joint verification team within 72 hours of the signing of the agreement.
The establishment of a committee to monitor the ceasefire.
The creation and eventual deployment of an international peacekeeping force.
Ceasefire violations to include not only attacks and recruitment of combatants but also sabotage, kidnapping, harassment, seizure of arms, illegal arrests and importing new arms or ammunition as well as ”hostile” or ”defamatory” propaganda.
The ceasefire was signed in the nearby Ghanaian capital of Accra yesterday after talks between the rebel groups — allegedly armed by Liberia’s neighbours, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast — and Liberia’s defence minister. President Charles Taylor was unable to attend for fear of being arrested: he was recently indicted by the tribunal investigating the crimes of Sierra Leone’s decade-long war.
The ceasefire allows for a month of peace talks, leading to a transitional government and disarmament of all sides. It remained unclear whether Taylor would step down as the rebels have demanded. He has previously refused to do so. – Guardian Unlimited Â