UN troops must move quickly into Liberia

The recent meeting in the Ghanian capital, Acra, by commanders of the Nigerian and US forces to discuss peacekeeping issues has come too late and with too little hope to salvage the suffering multitude of the languished nation that has witnessed hundreds of deaths in recent weeks. Reports of famine and shortage of drinking water are further exacerbating the suffering of the mass.

Despite requests for weeks by Charles Taylor and many other Liberians for immediate presence of US forces to quell the situation, a unilateral US presence poses two serious obstacles. Prima facie, the US's unilateral presence becomes problematic due to the international laws' prohibition on siding of external power with any particular segment of warring parties in a civil conflict, although moral and diplomatic supports are accepted. Consequently, unless the UN Security Council (UNSC) authorises deployment of international peacekeepers to stand between the warring factions, any unilateral US move is likely to be interpreted as an intervention and occupation by the international community.

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And, given that the West African Regional Block (ECOWAS) has already consented to contribute troops sooner, the Security Council's job is made much easier. The ECOWAS has decided to deploy 1300 Nigerian troops as the vanguard element of a multinational force. The deployment awaits UN mandate and the UNSC must act without delay.

In light of dangers posed by other troubled spots around the world, the UNSC should endorse the ECOWAS's regional plan immediately. Once that is done, more forces can be mobilised following the UNSC's passing of a resolution that would authorize immediate mobilisation of international forces. The stoppage of carnage and mayhem brooks no delay.