Determination To Authorize the Drawdown of Commodities, Services, and Training From the Department of Defense for the Economic Community of West African States' Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG) Under Section 552(c)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended

President Clinton authorized a $10 million drawdown of Defense Department commodities, services, and training to support the ECOWAS peacekeeping force (ECOMOG) in Liberia, citing an unforeseen emergency under the Foreign Assistance Act. The assistance targets Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Mali, with potential expansion to future participants.

Federal Register Open PDF 61 FR 56863

Impact dates

Sep 30, 1996
Determination signed and drawdown authorization effective

Key directives

Authorize drawdown from DOD inventory and resources not to exceed $10 million in commodities and services
Direct assistance to current ECOMOG participants (Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali) and future participants
Secretary of State to report determination to Congress
Secretary of State to arrange Federal Register publication

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

$10M drawdown authorization takes effect
Secretary of State directed to report to Congress and arrange Federal Register publication

Near term (90d)

Delivery of commodities and services to ECOMOG participants

Long term

Enhanced ECOMOG peacekeeping capabilities in Liberia crisis

Risks & tensions

Limited geographic scope to West African states; Nigeria's dominant role in ECOMOG raised governance concerns
Unforeseen emergency determination bypasses normal congressional appropriations process
Crisis in Liberia had ongoing regional instability implications