On November 12, 2015, US President Obama issued Executive Order 13710 terminating the national emergency that provided the foundation for sanctions against former Liberian President Charles Taylor and others associated with his regime.
These sanctions, imposed in 2004 under Executive Order 13348, served to block the property and interests in property of Charles Taylor and his immediate family members, senior officials and close associates of the Taylor regime, and those who materially supported such persons. These persons were blocked on grounds that they had unlawfully depleted Liberian resources, removed and secreted Liberian funds and property, and undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources.
The decision to terminate the sanctions was based upon a number of factors, including:
- the orderly development of Liberia's political, administrative, and economic institutions;
- the freely held democratic presidential elections in 2005 and 2011;
- the 2012 conviction of, and 50-year prison sentence for, former president Taylor; and
- the diminished ability of those connected to former president Taylor to undermine Liberia's progress.
Termination of these sanctions does not affect pending actions or proceedings. In due course, we expect removal of the related Former Liberian Regime of Charles Taylor Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 593.
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