Decision on Sierra Leone

CM/Dec. 525 (LXXII) Rev.1

DECISION ON SIERRA LEONE (CM/2164 (LXXII)-e)

Council:

1. REAFFIRMS ITS FULL SUPPORT for the efforts to revive the peace process in Sierra Leone, as provided for under the Lome Peace Agreement which provides the appropriate framework for the resolution of the conflict in Sierra Leone;

2. URGES the RUF in particular, to scrupulously abide by and implement the terms of the Agreement, including disarming and demobilizing voluntarily;

3. CALLS ON the parties to re-deploy to the positions they held on the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement on 7 July 1999, as decided by the ECOWAS Heads of State, and ENCOURAGES ECOWAS in its efforts to establish a ceasefire, aimed at bringing the hostilities and armed conflict in Sierra Leone to an end;

4. REITERATES OAU’s strong condemnation of the continuing violent attacks by the RUF on UNAMSIL, and the taking of hundreds of UNAMSIL personnel as hostages by the RUF, which acts constitute a violation of the Lome Peace Agreement, the Bamako Summit Communique and UN Security Council Resolutions on Sierra Leone; CALLS for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the siege of the Indian contingent of UNAMSIL peace-keepers at Kailahun and restoring to them complete freedom of movement;

5. EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION to the Current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Alpha Omar Konare, and the other regional leaders for the efforts they have deployed to bring peace to Sierra Leone;

6. NOTES WITH APPRECIATION the efforts made by President Charles Taylor of Liberia, which secured the release of the hostages and ENCOURAGES him, while implementing the renewed mandate given to him by ECOWAS, to continue to use his good offices in obtaining the recovery of the arms and equipment taken from the peace-keepers by the RUF.

7. EXPRESSES ITS GRATITUDE to Colonel Muamar Al-Qadhafi, Leader of the Great Alfateh Revolution for his assistance in securing the release of the hostages and for his efforts to settle the conflict and to achieve and sustain peace in Sierra Leone;

8. EXPRESSES SUPPORT for the decision of the ECOWAS Heads of State that troops be provided from the sub-region to strengthen UNAMSIL, and CALLS UPON ECOWAS Member States which have pledged to provide contingents, to honour their commitments;