11 September 2000
African Ministers Discuss Sierra Leone at U.N.
(Annan: New RUF leaders' cooperation important) (670)
By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent
United Nations -- Pressing regional leaders to use their influence on
new Sierra Leone rebel leaders to abide by the Lome Peace Agreement
and cooperate with the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan
warned September 11 that continued instability in the country could
affect the entire region.
The secretary-general and senior U.N. officials held a daylong session
with representatives of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and the government of Sierra Leone to improve coordination
between the U.N. and countries in the region as well as review
progress and set priorities. They were scheduled to discuss the
nomination of a new Revolutionary United Front (RUF) leader and its
implications; return of the weapons, ammunition, and other equipment
seized by the RUF from U.N. peacekeepers earlier this year; regional
investigations into the resumption of hostilities and the illegal
trade of Sierra Leonean diamonds; the establishment of the special
court for Sierra Leone; and modalities for the resumed implementation
of the Lome Peace Agreement.
"As partners in the effort to restore peace and security in Sierra
Leone, it is essential that we harmonize our views and strategies and
act as one on every aspect of this challenge," the secretary-general
said.
Annan asked the leaders "to exert all their influence" to ensure that
the new RUF leader, Issa Sessay, cooperates fully and fulfills the
agreements he made regarding the peace process.
"Above all, it is crucial that ECOWAS prevail on the RUF to ensure an
early return of all weapons and equipment seized from U.N.
peacekeepers," Annan said.
"This is a real test for the new leaders," he added.
"The humanitarian implications of the continued instability in the
subregion cannot be underestimated," the secretary-general warned. The
number of new internally displaced persons since May now exceeds
300,000, while the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has
registered nearly 15,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Guinea. Some
37,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia are unable to return home
because of the precarious security situation.
The Security Council is currently considering a comprehensive
resolution that would expand the number of U.N. peacekeepers from the
current level of more than 12,000 up to about 20,500 in order to carry
out a number of security tasks. The council has also passed
resolutions, one setting up a court in conjunction with the Sierra
Leone government to handle war crimes charges and another banning the
sale of Sierra Leone diamonds that do not have government
certification.
Those resolutions, Annan said, "reflect the genuine commitment of the
international community to help find a lasting settlement to the
conflict."
The Sierra Leone government "is making a real effort to promote peace
in the country," the secretary-general said. "However, I believe it
should redouble its efforts to extend its administration through the
country and work as effectively as possible with my special
representative and with the U.N. force."
The meeting followed the news that a raid by British paratroopers
freed six British soldiers and a Sierra Leonean officer who had been
held hostage by the Sierra Leone rebel group known as the West Side
Boys.
The foreign ministers attending the closed-door meeting are at U.N.
headquarters for the Millennium Summit, which was held September 6-9,
and the opening debate of the 55th General Assembly September 12-22.
In a separate statement issued through his spokesman, Annan also
expressed concern over the mounting tension and border clashes between
Guinea and Liberia. "The secretary-general urged the presidents of
Guinea and Liberia to refrain from any action that might aggravate the
situation," the spokesman said. "He also calls on them to fully
support the efforts of the current chairman of ECOWAS, President
Konare of Mali, to reduce tension and restore peace and security
between the two countries."
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