UNMIL Facts

UNMIL was established on 1 June 2003 by the Security Council Resolution 1509 after a peace agreement in 2003 that ended the two civil wars spanning over 14 years, but had left the country with a complete breakdown of law and order. The civil war claimed the lives of almost 250,000 people - mostly civilians - and left the rest deeply traumatized. Since 2003, the Security Council renewed UNMIL mandates for 16 times. UNMIL 26,523 refugees have been assisted by UNHCR to return to Côte d’Ivoire. UNMIL deployed more than 180,000 peacekeepers over 14 years—including some130,000 troops; 16,000 police officers; and some 24,000 civilian staff. UNMIL assisted three democratic presidential and legislative elections in 2005, 2011 and 2017. UNMIL disarmed more than 100,000 ex-combatants, and collected more than 20,000 weapons and more than 5 million rounds of ammunition. UNMIL supported the strengthening of Liberian security forces, including women, and turned over full security responsibility to the Liberians in 2016. Liberia has made overall progress toward the restoration of peace, security and stability. The period of peacekeeping is over, and the UN Country Team and other partners will assist as the country builds a sustainable peace. UNMIL spent US$7.5 billion for 14 years, including US$16.4 million in Quick-Impact Projects.