UN Expands Mission In Sierra Leone To 11,100
February 8, 2000


NEW YORK, UN (PANA) - The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a
resolution Monday nearly doubling the UN peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone
to 11,100 from 6,000 military personnel.

The action was to place the UN mission in Sierra Leone in a position to take
over the functions of ECOMOG forces, now set to withdraw from the country.

The council accordingly expanded the mandate of the mission to include the
provision of security at key positions, including government buildings and
at the Lungi airport.

The mission is also to facilitate the movement of people, goods and
humanitarian assistance, provide security at disarmament and demobilisation
sites, guard weapons and ammunition collected from ex-fighters as well as
co-ordinate with Sierra Leonean law enforcement authorities in the discharge
of their responsibilities.

In the light of continuing acts of harassment and violence by armed rebel
groups, the council authorised the mission to take necessary actions in the
discharge of their duties to ensure the security and freedom of movement of
its personnel.

The council also extended the mandate of the mission by six months effective
from Monday.

It expressed appreciation to ECOMOG for its contribution in the restoration
of democracy and maintenance of peace and security in Sierra Leone, noting
that those countries - Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea - had shown courage and
made sacrifices in their tasks in Sierra Leone.

The council emphasised the importance for smooth transition between ECOMOG
and the mission in the successful implementation of the Sierra Leonean peace
agreement signed in July 1999 by parties to the conflict.

Welcoming the efforts by all concerned parties in Sierra Leone to implement
the peace accord, the council called upon them to take steps to ensure that
the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme is fully
implemented throughout the country.

But the council also said it was concerned about the slow pace in the
disarmament programme, the lack of progress on the release of abductees and
child soldiers and continued hostage taking and attacks on humanitarian
personnel by rebels.

It, therefore, warned that the amnesty granted under the peace agreement
does not extend to human rights violations committed after the date of
signing the agreement.

Since the agreement was signed, there have been reports of harassment,
abduction and rape committed by rebel elements.

These acts, the council noted, have marred the progress made in the peace
process.

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