Campaign for 11 October elections launched 15 August after National Electoral Commission cleared several candidates to stand. Authorities banned public demonstrations and UNMIL reinforced security measures. Alan Doss installed as UN Sec.-Gen.’s Special Representative in Monrovia.

Inadequate reintegration programs continued to cause sporadic unrest: retraining centre staff held hostage in Buchanan town after promised benefits failed to materialise; in Bong Mines, ex-combatants threatened to kill expatriates and residents. Interim government called for review of ex-President Charles Taylor’s Nigerian asylum agreement, alleging Taylor broke terms by interfering in domestic politics. Countdown to 11 October presidential elections continued; influential Lebanese community demanded voting rights. Generally improving security led to return of over 5,000 refugees from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.

Continuing unrest amongst ex-combatants, with reintegration programs underfunded by $10m; LURD ex- combatants occupying country’s second largest rubber plantation. Soldiers looted Barclay Training Centre 14 June and blocked defence minister Chea in ministry to protest salary arrears. New Liberian army - to be recruited and trained by U.S. DynCorp - expected to number 2,000 rather than original 4,000. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended broadening of UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). International criticism over corruption of transitional government: UNSC extended sanctions on diamond and timber exports and donors proposed economic governance action plan. Chairman Gyude Bryant signed Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill 10 June, to cover events from 1979 to October 2003.

Registration of 1.2m voters completed ahead of 11 October elections; IDP enrolment lower than hoped. Incomplete rehabilitation program for ex-combatants sparked Ganta riots 11 May. New national army recruitment, managed by U.S. DynCorp company, expected to begin June. Outgoing head of UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Jacques Klein, said mandate should have been stronger to achieve UN objectives.

Security situation unchanged, with ongoing worries about inadequate combatant reintegration program. Voter registration for 11 October elections began 25 April. U.S. Congress applying pressure on Nigeria to extradite former Liberian dictator to Sierra Leone’s Special Court. Sekou Conneh, former head of LURD militia, announced would run in October presidential elections. Head of UN Mission, Jacques Paul Klein, announced resignation 29 April.

Situation fragile: only 23% of 108,000 de-mobilised soldiers involved in rehabilitation and reintegration; other ex- combatants, including disbanded Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, not yet disarmed. UNMIL peacekeepers attacked 22 March when Ganta checkpoint, near Guinea, petrol-bombed, wounding 1. Speaker of Liberia’s parliament, George Dweh, rejected corruption allegations and subsequent suspension but did not return to legislature.

Electoral commission announced 11 October date for elections, with registration from mid-April to mid-May. Refugees in Guinea called for speeded-up repatriation to allow them to take part; 100,000 estimated Liberian refugees in West Africa. Despite fears reintegration of ex-combatants incomplete, U.S. announced DynCorp to train new 4,000- strong Liberian army, to allow eventual wind-down of current UNMIL force. Liberia’s Governance Reform Commission criticised corruption and long-term contracts awarded by transitional government.

UN peacekeepers strengthened presence Maryland county southeast Liberia, near border with Côte d’Ivoire, as riots followed spate of ritual killings. Amid fears of insufficient focus on re-integration of former combatants, residents of Bong County claimed ex-fighters terrorising local population; ex-soldiers rioted Gbarnga 26 January over unpaid resettlement allowances; disarmament commission said up to 4,000 former combatants could be forced out of school due to lack of funds.

Electoral reform bill passed 15 December opening way for October 2005 elections. Second tranche demobilisation payments completed same day. However, UN Security Council renewed sanctions 21 December citing fears timber and diamonds could be used to destabilise country.

Violence brought under control early November after clashes attributed to former rebels killed 16. Liberia’s demobilisation program officially ended 31 October; 96,326 disarmed since 2003. Symbolic disbanding of rebel groups 3 November officially opened path to 2005 elections. Scheme to repatriate some 300,000 refugees began 8 November. Meanwhile, 19,000 Ivorians fled violence to Liberia; food aid flown to Butuo to deal with crisis. Several former rebel leaders allegedly involved in recruitment of former soldiers to fight on behalf of Ivorian government.