cutting issues, ensuring full participation of women and of youth. Long-term goals for
Liberia included governmental accountability and countering corruption.
The Liberian Peacebuilding Plan laid the groundwork for continued engagement with
international partners such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
as well as civil society. The Plan was also linked to Liberia’s national priorities, including
pro-poor policies. Inclusive dialogues and international partnerships will be necessary to
effectively go forward with this plan, as well as coordination of sustained funding. The plan
includes a timeline of priorities for Liberia’s transition, including Phase I from April 2017
through the mission drawdown in March 2018. The first phase of the peacebuilding plan
(including peaceful elections and transfer of power) is now complete with the second phase
under implementation with the Weah administration.
Many challenges remain in Liberia, including addressing corruption and economic
diversification. Despite remaining challenges, UNMIL’s successful transition and the
Liberian Peacebuilding Plan have laid the ground work for sustaining peace in Liberia.
Recommendations.
1. For effective transition management, UN peacekeeping missions should partner with
national stakeholders years in advance of the anticipated transition, incorporating patience
into the transition strategy. UN peacekeepers can use CIMIC transition management to
build confidence as well as capacity in the host population.
2. UN missions drawing down should involve all stakeholders (including national govern-
ment, international partners, political parties, civil society organizations, women's groups,
etc.) in a consultative process to outline a plan going forward to transition activities from
peacekeeping to peacebuilding, using the Liberia Peacebuilding Plan as a best practice.
A Peacebuilding Plan is a best practice for UN transitions since it is based on a wide
consensus of stakeholders, conflict-sensitivity, and strategic analysis of the context and
requirements for peace.
3. Internally to UN missions transitioning, the UN Secretary-General recommends that
“a mapping capacity of the United Nations country team against peacebuilding priorities be
undertaken and discussed with Member States through the Peacebuilding Commissions”
(p. 9). This will ensure the capabilities necessary to sustainably implement a Peacebuilding
Plan.
Implications.
Without patience, there may be a rushed transition and inadequate confidence within the
population to sustain gains made by the mission. Without a good transition plan to draw-
down a peacekeeping mission, there is risk that a host nation could lapse back into conflict
and not build on gains in peace and stability made by the mission. If a peacebuilding plan is
created without wide consultation with regional, national, and civil society stakeholders, it is
less likely to be sustainable. To be effective, a peacebuilding plan must be inclusive.
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