United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and NTGL have failed to control Liberia’s most vulnerable areas, namely border regions and areas rich in natural resources, resulting in an explosion of illegal activity and security threats Despite specific reference in UNMIL’s mandate to assisting the NTGL in controlling its natural resources, UNMIL appeared to be either unable or unwilling to provide the NTGL with sufficient help to do so. The result has been an explosion of illegal diamond mining activities by a large number of ex-combatants leading to violations of the UN sanctions on diamonds and a significant security risk. With regards to timber, pit-sawing activitiesb by excombatants continue unabated, generating large amounts of uncontrolled and unaccounted revenue. The lack of adequate control of Liberia’s borders is also allowing cross border trafficking of natural resources and cross border recruitment of combatants.