On May 25, 2016, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2288 terminating sanctions against Liberia. According to a summary of the meeting at which the resolution was adopted, the thirteen-year-old sanctions regime originated in the aftermath of the 1999–2003 Liberian civil war. Sanctions consisted principally of a ban on arms imports into Liberia and a prohibition on exports of timber and diamonds from Liberia. According to a news report, sanctions were intended to support peacebuilding efforts and prevent the resumption of violence.  Since their establishment, elements of the sanctions regime were gradually lifted or modified in response to Liberian progress in consolidating peace and reconciliation. The remaining sanctions consisted of an arms embargo targeting non-state groups and related enforcement mechanisms—including a sanctions committee and expert panel—which were dissolved by Resolution 2288. The resolution encouraged the Liberian government to undertake domestic legal and administrative efforts to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the lifting of the sanctions in a statement, declaring “targeted sanctions measures have accompanied the consolidation of peace and the rebuilding of State institutions in Liberia since 2003,” and adding that “[t]oday’s lifting by the Security Council of the remaining arms embargo on non-state actors further signals the significant progress made by Liberia and the sub-region in maintaining stability.”