On 19 August 1995, in Abuja (Nigeria), Liberian factions sign the Abuja Agreement — the supplement to the Cotonou and Akosombo accords (as clarified at Accra) seeking to end the First Liberian Civil War.

The parties declare a ceasefire from 26 August 1995 and establish a six-member Council of State (including Charles Taylor/NPFL, Alhaji Kromah/ULIMO, George Boley/LPC), with Wilton Sankawolo as chairman.

Signatories also include the AFL, ULIMO-J, LDF, NPFL-CRC and LNC; witnesses from ECOWAS, the OAU and the UN. The schedule foresaw elections in 1996.

The agreement was one of a series of peace attempts; fighting continued until later accords and the 1997 transition.

For 1990s Liberia, 19 August 1995 marks the Abuja signature.

The text is circulated as a Security Council document and on UN Peacemaker.

The Abuja Agreement of 19 August 1995 remains the Liberian transitional Council of State milestone.

Image: Abuja; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Abuja Accord (Liberia). Treaty text: UN Peacemaker — Abuja Agreement (19 August 1995).