IPNews-Monrovia:For 17 years now since the government of Liberia and rebel faction leaders signed the Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord, know as ‘CPA’, the continued willful violation of this accord has now risen eyebrows.

Part four (Article VII) of the CPA focused on ‘Security Sector Reform’, calling for Disbandment of Irregular Forces, Reforming and Restructuring of the Armed Forces of Liberia and other Security Apparatus.

The government of former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, in partnership with the international community, including the United States, EU, The British Government and other African countries notably the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, worked in bringing much needed reforms to Liberia’s security sector. This restructuring process has now brought Liberia into peace keeping operations across the World.

In all this, and with nearly four years into the leadership of former World Soccer Player of the Year George Manneh Weah, as President of Liberia, there are damning signs of the re-emergence of cracks within the once on-course security sector reform process with report that the Executive Protection Service has disrobed with immediate effect two of its agents for disorderly conduct resulting into the death of one person and injuries to several others.

The incident according to a release feom the Executive Mansion took place recently in Kakata, Margibi County.

The release also stated that the two Agents identifies Gabriel S. Kamara and Carlay A. David as prime suspects and have been turned over to local police for investigation.

It may be recalled, a commotion is reported to have ensued when the suspects in pursuit of a man who reportedly had gotten away with a phone during a ceremony were attacked by an angry mob. The ensuing altercation resulted into the death and burning of a vehicle belonging to one of the EPS agents.

The police have made some arrests, while investigating the circumstances leading to the violence. The authorities in the county are authorized to leave no stone unturned in their push towards bringing to book all those involved in Saturday’s violence.

The EPS reiterates its commitment to the rule of law in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. But while it will not shield any of its personnel who are involved in acts of transgression as has been demonstrated in the past, it urges the general public to refrain from taking the law in their own hands.

The Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord states that:There shall be an immediate restructuring of the National Police Force, the Immigration Force, Special Security Service (SSS), custom security guards and such other statutory security units. These restructured security forces shall adopt a professional orientation that emphasizes democratic values and respect for human rights, a non-partisan approach to duty and the avoidance of corrupt practices.

PART FOUR: SECURITY SECTOR REFORM

ARTICLE VII
DISBANDMENT OF IRREGULAR FORCES, REFORMING AND
RESTRUCTURING OF THE LIBERIAN ARMED FORCES

a. All irregular forces shall be disbanded.
b. The Armed Forces of Liberia shall be restructured and will have a new command structure. The forces may be drawn from the ranks of the present GOL forces, the LURD and the MODEL, as well as from civilians with appropriate background and experience.

The Parties request that ECOWAS, the UN, AU, and the ICGL provide
advisory staff, equipment, logistics and experienced trainers for the security reform effort. The Parties also request that the United States of America play a lead role in organising this restructuring program.
2. The following Principles shall be taken into account in the formation of the restructured Liberian Armed Forces:
a. Incoming service personnel shall be screened with respect to educational,
professional, medical and fitness qualifications as well as prior history with regard to human rights abuses;
b. The restructured force shall take into account the country’s national balance. It shall be composed without any political bias to ensure that it represents the national character of Liberia;
c. The Mission of the Armed Forces of Liberia shall be to defend the national
sovereignty and in extremis, respond to natural disasters;
d. All Parties shall cooperate with ECOWAS, the UN, the AU, the ICGL and the United States of America.
3. All Parties together shall organise Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs to sensitise the Liberian public as to the mission and activities of the restructuring plan.
ARTICLE VIII
RESTRUCTURING OF THE LIBERIAN NATIONAL POLICE (LNP)
AND OTHER SECURITY SERVICES
1. There shall be an immediate restructuring of the National Police Force, the Immigration Force, Special Security Service (SSS), custom security guards and such other statutory security units. These restructured security forces shall adopt a professional orientation that emphasizes democratic values and respect for human rights, a non-partisan approach to duty and the avoidance of corrupt practices.
2. The Special Security Units including the Anti-Terrorist Unit, the Special Operations Division (SOD) of the Liberian National Police Force and such paramilitary groups that operate within organisations as the National Ports Authority (NPA), the Liberian Telecommunications
Corporation (NTC), the Liberian Refining Corporation (LPRC) and the Airports shall be disarmed and restructured.
3. Until the deployment of newly trained national police, maintenance of law and order throughout Liberia shall be the responsibility of an interim police force.
4. The Parties call on the United Nations Civil Police components (UNCIVPOL) within the ISF to monitor the activities of the interim police force and assist in the maintenance of law and order throughout Liberia.
5. The Parties also call on UNCIVPOL and other relevant International Agencies to assist in the development and implementation of training programs for the LNP.
6. The interim police force will only be allowed to carry side arms.
7. All large calibre weapons shall be turned over to the ISF.
PART FIVE
RELEASE OF PRISONERS AND ABDUCTEES
ARTICLE IX
RELEASE OF PRISONERS AND ABDUCTEES
All political prisoners and prisoners of war, including non-combatants and abductees shall be released immediately and unconditionally by the Parties.
ARTICLE X
ASSISTANCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
AND RELEVANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
All Parties shall provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other relevant national and international agencies with information regarding their prisoners of war, abductees or persons detained because of the war, to enable the ICRC and other relevant national and international agencies visit them and verify any details regarding their condition and status before their release.
ARTICLE XI
The Parties call on the ICRC and such other relevant national and international agencies to give all the necessary assistance to the released persons, including re-location to any part of Liberia.
PART SIX
HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES

ARTICLE XII:HUMAN RIGHTS
1a. The Parties agree that the basic civil and political rights enunciated in the Declaration and Principles on Human Rights adopted by the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS, in particular, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and as contained in the Laws of Liberia, shall be fully guaranteed and respected within Liberia.
b. These basic civil and political rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from torture, the
right to a fair trial, freedom of conscience, expression and association, and the right to take part in
the governance of one’s country.