This report from the International Crisis Group unravels the involvement of many West African leaders in their region's worsening conflict. While Charles Taylor of Liberia is the key to regional instability, the conflicts in the Mano River Union (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and Côte d'Ivoire are interwoven and cannot be treated separately. A comprehensive strategy is required, including a stronger U.S. role. A phased approach is needed to get a ceasefire and press Taylor to postpone elections and stand down. The Security Council should prepare a peacekeeping mission to monitor the ceasefire and help establish an interim administration, and make standby arrangements for a more robust multinational force if the ceasefire collapses. If there is no ceasefire, tougher measures should be taken, including wider sanctions and steps to bring Taylor and others before a war crimes tribunal such as Sierra Leone's Special Court.

The United Nations Security Council should maintain the arms embargo against the Liberian government and Liberian rebel factions, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the Security Council. The Security Council will review existing sanctions on Liberia on May 7, 2003. Human Rights Watch has documented numerous human rights abuses against civilians by Liberian government and rebel groups in the past year, including summary executions, recruitment of children, sexual violence, looting of civilian property, and forced labor.