UN and EU lift Liberia asset freezes and travel bans

The EU has terminated its targeted asset freezes and travel bans against former Liberian President Charles Taylor and people associated with him, following a UN Resolution ending UN targeted sanctions against them and others undermining the peace and stability of Liberia last week. The UN sanctions, implemented by the EU, were introduced in 2003 & 2004 in response to alleged misappropriation of Liberian state assets by Charles Taylor and associates. The UN and EU arms embargoes on Liberia remain in force.

The Security Council had previously expressed readiness to terminate the targeted sanctions upon determining that the ceasefire in Liberia was being respected, disarmament completed, and the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement implemented. The changes to the EU regime are made by Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1776 repealing Council Regulation 872/2004 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1782 repealing Common Position 2004/487/CFSP and amending Common Position 2008/109/CFSP.  HM Treasury’s notice is here, and has provided additional identifying information here.