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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2000 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------