SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS IN OPEN SESSION TO CONSIDER SITUATION IN SIERRA LEONE
UNITED-NATIONS
Press Release
SC/6613
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SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS IN OPEN SESSION TO CONSIDER SITUATION IN SIERRA
LEONE
19981218
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__Peacekeeping Under-Secretary-General Introduces Secretary-General's
Report; Chairman of Sanctions Committee Briefs Council on December
Assessment Mission
The Chairman of the Security Council Sanctions Committee on Sierra
Leone, Hans Dahlgren (Sweden), told the Council this morning that
sanctions were not being effectively implemented and the humanitarian
situation in Sierra Leone continued to deteriorate.
Briefing the Council in an open meeting on his four-day assessment
mission to Sierra Leone and Liberia, Mr. Dahlgren said it was hard to
find words strong enough to describe the atrocities committed by rebel
forces. They had cut off body parts of victims with large knives and
burned alive men, women and children. Referring to treason trials
conducted by the Government against supporters of the illegal coup of
May 1997, Mr. Dahlgren said he had pleaded with the authorities not to
make further use of the death penalty, both for reasons of principle
and to further national reconciliation.
The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Bernard
Miyet, introduced a 16 December report of the Secretary-General that
recommends the Council extend the mandate of the United Nations
Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) for six months, when its
current mandate expires on 13 January 1999. He said that since the
drafting of the report, elements of the former junta had advanced
southwards from the north-west of the country, attacking villages,
killing and mutilating civilians and looting and destroying property.
Thousands of people had been displaced and had fled to Freetown, the
capital, for safety.
A number of delegates expressed satisfaction with Mr. Dahlgren's
report and said that chairmen of the sanctions committees should play
a more active role in monitoring the implementation of sanctions. The
representative of Portugal said the Council should adopt some
guidelines regarding the role of the chairpersons of the sanctions
committees.
The representative of the Gambia said there should be greater
resources provided for peace-building efforts in Sierra Leone. Without
such resources, the Government's programme of reconciliation could not
be achieved. Echoing
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Security Council - 1a - Press Release SC/6613 3957th Meeting (AM) 18
December 1998
that statement, the representative of the United Kingdom said the
international community should give greater support to the Economic
Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG)
and donor countries should come forward to help peace-building
activities. He added that it was time to draw conclusions from the
situation in Sierra Leone and ensure that post-conflict situations did
not dissolve into conflict situations. The question of how best to
contribute to post-conflict peace-building should be examined.
Regarding a proposal to conduct a joint patrol of the border between
Sierra Leone and Liberia, the representatives of the United States and
Japan said there were still questions, such as what steps would have
to be taken to facilitate such activity and who would participate. The
representative of Japan added that there was nothing in UNOMSIL's
mandate about participating in a joint border patrol and the present
strength of the mission would not support such activity.
Despite the difficulties faced in Sierra Leone, the representative of
France said the Secretariat report had indicated that there was an
encouraging evolution, making it possible to envisage a rapprochement
between the three countries -- Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The
prerequisite for dialogue would be a cessation of hostilities by the
rebels and a solution would require support for regional initiatives.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Kenya, Costa Rica,
Brazil, Slovenia, Gabon, China and the Russian Federation.
The meeting, which began at 9:55 a.m., was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
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Council Work Programme
The Security Council met this morning to consider the situation in
Sierra Leone. It had before it the third progress report of the
Secretary- General (document S/1998/1176), in which he recommends
extending the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra
Leone (UNOMSIL) for a further six months, until 13 July, and
elaborates his plans for a modest expansion of the Mission's civilian
staff, aimed at addressing the growing demands on the ground and
assisting in efforts to normalize the situation.
The Secretary-General states that it is premature at this stage to
proceed with further deployments of military observers, as authorized
by Security Council resolution 1181 (1998), owing to the uncertain
security situation in parts of the country and the delays to which the
Government's disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme
have been subjected. Yet, in view of the prospect that rebel fighters
might begin surrendering as a result of the military operations
directed against them in the east and the north, and the Government's
willingness to accept their surrender under certain conditions,
UNOMSIL will stand ready to deploy the additional observers rapidly,
as and when they may be required.
The report further states that the enormity of the human rights abuses
the rebels have perpetrated on the people of Sierra Leone and the
large scope of human rights tasks to be performed have emphasized the
need for a strong human rights component. The deployment of five
additional human rights officers in the provinces, in addition to the
five now operating in the country, would do much to assist the
Government to maintain and improve its commitment to the protection of
human rights and fundamental freedoms. Member States are urged to
consider contributing bilaterally to UNOMSIL's human rights activities
in Sierra Leone.
Bearing in mind that UNOMSIL could also help the Government develop
more fully a dialogue with the rebels in keeping with a dual-track
approach -- military and diplomatic -- the Secretary-General intends
to deploy three additional public information officers to develop
radio programmes and other information activities aimed at persuading
rebels in the countryside to surrender and pursue the goal of national
reconciliation. The additional public information staff could also
help explain the role of the Mission and the international community.
An additional political officer in the Office of the Special
Representative would assist in coordinating these activities.
The Secretary-General states that, despite the progress made by the
Government in consolidating its authority, he is disturbed at the
continuing attacks inflicted by the rebels on civilians in the north
and the atrocities and abductions that accompany such attacks. He
condemns these serious violations and abuses of human rights and
international humanitarian law and again calls on the Revolutionary
United Front and the Armed Forces
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Security Council - 3 - Press Release SC/6613 3957th Meeting (AM) 18
December 1998
Revolutionary Council to desist from attacks against their unarmed
compatriots, and to lay down their arms and surrender.
He welcomes the elaboration of the dual-track approach to the
resolution of the conflict following the 31 October summit of the
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the London
meeting of the International Contact Group of 5 November. The United
Nations Mission will work with the Government to pursue this approach.
The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Observer
Group (ECOMOG), the Civil Defence Force and the reinducted Republic of
Sierra Leone Military Forces personnel have done much to defend the
Government and people of Sierra Leone against rebel attacks, and
should continue to do so. At the same time, the Government should
encourage the rebels to lay down their arms and surrender, in order to
avoid more bloodshed.
The report notes that Sierra Leoneans are willing to reconcile
themselves with the rebels, on condition that the rebels accept the
authority of the Government, lay down their arms and surrender. The
Mission will continue to facilitate such surrenders, provided this can
be done under acceptable security conditions. Particularly encouraging
was the outcome of the Extraordinary Summit Meeting of the Mano River
Union on 12 November, at which Presidents Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra
Leone, Charles Taylor of Liberia and Lansana Conte of Guinea agreed to
continue to strengthen the Union and improve their mutual relations.
The Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of this subregional
approach, and expresses his readiness to assist in developing and
implementing viable strategy in this regard.
The onset of the dry season, the report states, has opened the way for
more effective action by ECOMOG, the Civil Defence Force and the
reinducted military forces of Sierra Leone. In order to maintain the
pressure they have exerted to split the rebel forces, the military
forces assisting the Government need to continue to receive adequate
logistical support. The Secretary-General expresses his appreciation
to those governments which have already contributed to the relevant
United Nations trust fund and he encourages others to make similar
contributions, or to consider providing the necessary assistance
bilaterally to ECOMOG or to individual ECOWAS countries.
The restoration of stability in the country will be a long and arduous
process, and will continue to require military support, as well as
other forms of assistance, the report states. In particular, the
Government needs assistance in its efforts to establish a new
professional armed force under civilian control, as well as an
effective and well-motivated police force. The commitment of Sierra
Leoneans to achieving peace through dialogue and national
reconciliation will also be essential. The United Nations, through
UNOMSIL -- which has proved its value to the Government and people of
Sierra Leone as they pursue their recovery -- is ready to play its
part in that process, the report states.
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December 1998
Statements
BERNARD MIYET, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations,
introduced the Secretary-General's report. He said that since drafting
of the report was completed, new events had occurred. Elements of the
former junta had advanced southwards from the north-west of the
country, attacking villages, killing and mutilating civilians and
looting and destroying property. Thousands of people had been
displaced and had fled to the capital, Freetown, for safety. However,
ECOMOG had now stated that the rebels had been repulsed and that the
roads leading to the capital were clear. Tension had also risen in
other parts of the country owing to rebel activity, especially in the
north-east and the east.
He said part of the mandate of UNOMSIL was to assist the Government in
carrying out its programme to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate into
society all Sierra Leonean fighters, including members of the former
Republic of Sierra Leone Military Forces who had surrendered to
ECOMOG. In view of the uncertain security situation, most of those
former soldiers had now been reinducted to fight alongside ECOMOG and
the Civil Defence Force against the rebels. Since the security
situation had not improved and there had been no progress in the
disarming, demobilization and reintegration programme, only 40, out of
the projected 70, military observers and a medical unit of 15 persons
had been deployed. The observers, based in Freetown, Hastings, Lungi,
Bo, Kenema and Makeni, had been co-deployed with ECOMOG brigades.
Referring to treason trials conducted by the Government against
civilian and military supporters of the junta, he said he had appealed
to Sierra Leone President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah to give every
consideration, once the appeals process had been exhausted, to
extending mercy to those who had been condemned to death. A total of
96 persons had now been tried in five separate courts in Freetown, of
whom 77 had been sentenced to death. On 19 October, 24 military
officers, condemned to death by a court martial, were executed by
firing squad. All the civilian convicts were now appealing the verdict
or sentence, including the leader of the Revolutionary United Front,
Corporal Foday Sankoh, who was found guilty of treason on 23 October.
On the humanitarian situation, he said the efforts of the humanitarian
community to maintain access to needy populations, especially in the
north and east, had been disrupted further in the last few days by a
spate of rebel attacks near Freetown. Travel outside the capital for
United Nations and humanitarian personnel was now conducted only by
air and on destinations where ECOMOG was present and confirmed safety
upon arrival.
The 1999 consolidated inter-agency appeal for Sierra Leone for $28
million was launched yesterday, 17 December, in Geneva, he said. A
total of 29 projects, ranging from immediate life-saving needs to
longer-term ones, were planned.
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December 1998
The Chairman of the Security Council Sierra Leone Sanctions Committee,
HANS DAHLGREN (Sweden), reporting to the Council on his visit to
Sierra Leone and Liberia, recalled that the purpose of the visit was
not only to get information, but to make clear that those who imposed
sanctions were also engaged in making sure they are enforced. His
primary assignment was to study the implementation of the sanctions
against the rebel forces in Sierra Leone. Those included an arms
embargo on the non-governmental forces, as well as a travel ban for
the members of the military junta.
Absolute facts were hard to come by, particularly regarding violations
of sanctions, he said. However, one thing was indisputable -- the
situation in Sierra Leone was tense. The country was still plagued by
civil war and the rebels had proven a very tough target. Defeated in
one part of the country, they have been able to remobilize and
increase terror in others. The ECOMOG was doing a good job at
promoting stability and extending the safety to the people of Sierra
Leone, but logistical restraints remained and they had requested
stronger international support.
It was hard to find words strong enough to describe the atrocities
committed by the rebels, he said. The rebels simply cut off parts of
the bodies of their victims with large knives. They burned alive men,
women and children. More than 4,000 people had been summarily executed
or mutilated since April. The humanitarian situation was also serious.
Since parts of the country remained out of the reach of humanitarian
organizations, the full scope of the situation was not known. During
his visit, he had shared his view of the importance of showing respect
for humanitarian law.
Of particular concern was the burden carried by the children of Sierra
Leone, he added. Many had been abducted long ago into the ranks of the
Revolutionary United Front and now, at the age of eight or ten, were
some of the most fierce fighters in the war. A big challenge would be
to integrate the surviving children into a society where identity is
based on respect and common norms, not a rifle. Special attention
should be given to the children in the international support for the
reconstruction of Sierra Leone. He also pleaded with the Government of
Sierra Leone to make a serious effort at national reconciliation.
He said attempts to reach out towards a peaceful solution being made
by the Government should be encouraged. No effort should be spared to
get the rebels to lay down their arms.
Regarding the carrying out of executions of those convicted of war
crimes, he said that, in his capacity as Sweden's Ambassador to the
United Nations, he pleaded with authorities not to make further use of
the death penalty. They were ready to attempt to heed such plea.
Turning to sanctions, he said it was obvious that they were not fully
implemented. Some of the resupplies seemed to come from looting and
attacks
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Security Council - 6 - Press Release SC/6613 3957th Meeting (AM) 18
December 1998
within the country, but also from outside. The land borders of Sierra
Leone and Liberia were difficult to monitor. There was a perception
that support was coming from Liberia, but there was no tangible
evidence. The President of Sierra Leone had indicated that the
Liberian proposal for joint border control was a good starting point.
It could be useful if the United Nations and the international
community were to consider supporting such an operation. Every State
must ensure respect for sanctions. There was no excuse for those who
made a good living from the arms trade.
The President of the Council, JASSIM MOHAMMED BUALLAY (Bahrain), said
the situation in Sierra Leone, especially the problems faced by
children, indicated the dire need to set up a programme for
humanitarian assistance and to find a peaceful solution to the
conflict.
YVES DOUTRIAUX (France) said there were still difficulties that
affected the humanitarian situation of the population of Sierra Leone,
including violations of human rights, death sentences and summary
executions. Yet, the report of the Secretariat indicated that there
was an encouraging evolution, making it possible to envisage a
rapprochement between the three countries -- Sierra Leone, Liberia and
Guinea. The three Presidents had participated in the French-African
Summit in Paris three weekends ago.
The prerequisite for dialogue would be a cessation of hostilities by
the rebels, he continued. A solution would require support for
regional initiatives. France was giving bilateral support to Guinea's
participation in ECOMOG. The international community must continue to
support the effectiveness of the embargo and address whether or not it
should be strengthened.
NJUGUNA MAHUGU (Kenya) said he visited Angola in his capacity as
Chairman of the sanctions committee for that country and he believed
that it was an important exercise for chairmen of the various
sanctions committees to visit the areas concerned. The dual-track
approach to resolving the conflict in Sierra Leone required the
concerted efforts of ECOMOG. Also, Sierra Leone's relationship with
its neighbours needed to be nourished and better relations established
to deal with various problems. Such improved regional relations had
been successful in resolving other conflicts in Africa.
It was because of ECOMOG that constitutional elections were held in
Sierra Leone and the Security Council must encourage ECOMOG to
continue its work, he added. His delegation supported the extension of
the mandate. The United Nations had done a very good job in its work
in Sierra Leone.
BERND NIEHAUS (Costa Rica) said his country considered the situation
in Sierra Leone very complex and concrete steps should be taken by the
Government there to improve the national situation. Demilitarizing
society was a very good idea and Sierra Leone should move along on
that path.
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December 1998
YUKIO TAKASU (Japan) said Ambassador Dahlgren's briefing had given the
Council basic valuable information for discussion. He expressed
concern about the continuing rebel attacks and the plight of the
people, children in particular. The Secretary-General's report,
however, offered some encouragement.
The effectiveness of the sanctions regime might be helped by a joint
border control between Sierra Leone and Liberia, he said. It would
also encourage the concept of a subregional approach. He would like
more information about such a patrol. For example, would it be carried
out by the two countries with common borders, by ECOMOG or with ECOMOG
participation? What would be the role of military observers along the
border and how viable would such a role be? There was nothing in
UNOMSIL'S mandate about participating in a joint border patrol and the
present strength of the mission would not support such activity.
CELSO L.N. AMORIM (Brazil) said he appreciated the open forum in which
the briefing was held and he hoped it would become a frequent Council
practice. However, the picture of all the human rights violations and
atrocities was discouraging. He agreed that the death penalty was not
the best way to promote reconciliation.
He said the open forum discussion of sanctions as an instrument of the
Council was important. Normally, there was a concern that such a
discussion would serve as an attack on a sanctions regime. Sanctions
were often an instrument of peace and sometimes the only way to
maintain peace in a country.
A. PETER BURLEIGH (United States) said he agreed with other speakers
that the situation on the ground in Sierra Leone was very
discouraging. Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Presidential Special Envoy
for the Promotion of Democracy and Human Rights in Africa, would
continue to be involved in the situation. There were two specific
questions on United Nations activities. On the proposal to have joint
monitoring of the border between Liberia and Sierra Leone, what steps
could be taken to help that process by the Council or by the
Secretariat? Also, what was the assessment of force protection of
United Nations personnel there and was there a need for redeployment
of UNOMSIL personnel?
ANTONIO MONTIERO (Portugal) said he hoped the practice of holding open
discussions of such issues would continue in the future. It was also
important to stress the need for the chairmen of the various sanctions
committees to play a more active role. The Council should adopt some
guidelines regarding the role of the chairpersons of the sanctions
committees. The implementation of sanctions was a very important issue
and it was the responsibility of the entire Organization to enforce
the sanctions. Mr. Dahlgren's statement contained very vivid
depictions of appalling violence and it was important that there was
no impunity for those perpetrating those crimes.
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December 1998
There could be no military solution to the present conflict, he said.
Only a political resolution was possible. In that regard, the appeal
of death penalties for rebels was important. The situation of children
in Sierra Leone was also of great concern and the Council should
support the role of Olara Otunnu, Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
DANILO TURK (Slovenia) said he valued the role of UNOMSIL and
supported the extension of its mandate. Today's presentation had
provided a useful insight into the situation. The practice of visits
by the chairmen of the sanctions committees to areas where the
sanctions were being imposed were useful, but further reflection on
that practice was necessary. Mr. Dahlgren had emphasized the
importance of all States supporting the sanctions regime. That basic
point related to all sanctions regimes and should be considered by the
Council.
Regarding the political situation in Sierra Leone, he said the Council
had always insisted on a peaceful solution and nothing had happened to
change that. He supported all efforts to reach a peaceful solution,
including those of the Government, Reverend Jackson and the regional
groups. The true path to a solution, however, was national
reconciliation. He shared the concern about the plight of children and
supported the proposals to remedy their situation. Referring to the
executions carried out by the Government, he said the Council should
give critical consideration to that issue.
ALFRED MOUNGARA-MOUSSOTSI (Gabon) said he was encouraged by the report
of positive moves in Sierra Leone, but he was still concerned about
the acts of rebellion and barbarism committed by the rebels. He was
shocked by the reports of mutilation and burning of civilians.
The ECOMOG should be supported in its attempts to assist the
Government of Sierra Leone, he said. Members of the former military
junta were not contributing to dialogue and, for that reason, he
supported an amnesty. Only a joint campaign against illegal arms could
solve that problem. He encouraged those leaders who had attended the
African/French Paris summit to assist Sierra Leone in combating the
illegal arms trade.
BABOUCARR-BLAISE ISMAILA JAGNE (Gambia) said the importance of visits
to the countries concerned by the chairmen of sanctions committees
should be stressed. His delegation deplored the fact that the military
situation in Sierra Leone was still very poor. Only ECOMOG had the
ability to restore stability in the country and the impact of UNOMSIL
could be better felt only when ECOMOG was accomplishing its mandate.
However, without the necessary resources, there could be no real
peace-building. Without resources, the Government's programme of
reconciliation could not be achieved. Also, regional and subregional
cooperation contributed to peace-building and should be supported.
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December 1998
Sir JEREMY GREENSTOCK (United Kingdom) said that such discussions
should take place in an open meeting and more such meetings should be
held in the future. Mr. Dahlgren's first-hand experience was
particularly valuable and he supported the observations made on
sanctions and on the general situation in Sierra Leone. The United
Kingdom had a special interest in the situation there and it put its
own resources to use in helping to bring stability to the country.
His country was particularly concerned about the continuing rebel
activity and the campaign of terror and abuse of human rights, he
said. The international community must give greater support to ECOMOG
and donor countries should come forward to help peace-building
activity. It was also time to draw conclusions from the situation in
Sierra Leone and ensure that post-conflict situations did not dissolve
into conflict situations. The question of how best to contribute to
post-conflict peace-building should be examined.
LIU JIEYI (China) said this morning's meeting was important in
enhancing the transparency of the Council. The visit to Sierra Leone
of Sweden's Ambassador had elicited a positive response. He commended
ECOMOG and UNOMSIL for their role in stabilizing the situation. He
also commended the Government for adopting a dual approach to national
reconciliation.
He said he was deeply disturbed by the arms traffic to rebels, as it
not only violated Council resolutions, but caused harm to innocent
people. He proposed that the Council and Liberia set in place an
investigation to facilitate bringing an end to the illegal arms
traffic. He supported the extension of UNOMSIL's mandate for six
months. Regarding the expansion of the civilian staff, he proposed
that the views of the civilians be consulted.
ANDREI GRANOVSKY (Russian Federation) said he supported the
recommendations in the Secretary-General's report, in particular the
extension of the mandate. He was satisfied that the Government of
Sierra Leone was taking steps to move towards reconciliation. It made
the activities of the rebels seem all the more horrendous. In the
future, the international community would witness the final
normalization of the situation in the country.
Response to Questions
Mr. DAHLGREN (Sweden), Chairman of the Sanctions Committee on Sierra
Leone, in response to a question on joint border surveillance, said
the proposal needed to be elaborated by the two countries. There would
be intense consultations on the issue between Sierra Leone and Liberia
and the Council should follow those closely. It was important for
ECOMOG or the Sierra Leone Government to establish control of the
border and that had not yet been done.
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December 1998
Also on joint border monitoring, Mr. MIYET, Under-Secretary-General
for Peacekeeping, said it was essentially a question of security and
there was a role for ECOMOG and the Government to play. The ECOMOG did
not have the capacity to deploy its troops along the border and it
could not send an assessment team if additional security was not
provided. There were a number of difficulties facing border
monitoring, including the thick jungle terrain. Concerning the safety
of United Nations observers, he said security was a daily concern and
it was regularly addressed by the leaders of the military forces and
the field commanders. Actions would be taken to deal with renewed
activities around Freetown. All observers had not been deployed due to
security concerns, and travel would take place only by air around the
capital. "We are aware of these important risks and we are dealing
with those problems on the ground", he said.