United Nations Security Council Resolution 1370

by the United Nations

Adopted unanimously by the Security Council at its 4374th meeting, on 18 September 2001

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1270 (1999) of 22 October 1999, 1289 (2000) of 7 February 2000, 1313 (2000) of 4 August 2000, 1317 (2000) of 5 September 2000, 1321 (2000) of 20 September 2000 and 1346 (2001) of 30 March 2001, and the statement of its President of 3 November 2000 (S/PRST/2000/31), and all other relevant resolutions and statements of its President concerning the situation in Sierra Leone,

Affirming the commitment of all States to respect the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone,

Expressing its concern at the fragile security situation in the Mano River countries, in particular the continued fighting in Liberia, and at the humanitarian consequences for the civilian, refugee and internally displaced populations in those areas,

Welcoming the progress made in the peace process aimed at achieving sustainable peace and security in Sierra Leone and commending the positive role of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) in advancing the peace process,

Recognizing the importance of the progressive extension of State authority throughout the entire country, political dialogue and national reconciliation, the holding by the Government of Sierra Leone of free, fair and transparent elections, the transformation of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) into a political party, full respect for the human rights of all and the rule of law, effective action on the issues of impunity and accountability, the voluntary and unhindered return of refugees and internally displaced persons, the full implementation of a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme, the legitimate exploitation of the natural resources of Sierra Leone for the benefit of its people, and stressing that the United Nations should continue to support the fulfilment of these objectives,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 7 September 2001 (S/2001/857),

1. Decides that the mandate of UNAMSIL shall be extended for a period of six months from 30 September 2001;

2. Expresses its appreciation to those Member States providing troops and support elements to UNAMSIL and those who have made commitments to do so;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to inform the Council at regular intervals on progress made by UNAMSIL in the implementation of key aspects of its concept of operations, and further requests him to provide an assessment in his next report on steps taken to improve the effectiveness of UNAMSIL;

4. Expresses its continued deep concern at the reports of human rights abuses and attacks committed by the RUF, the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) and other armed groups and individuals, against the civilian population, in particular the widespread violation of the human rights of women and children, including sexual violence, demands that these acts cease immediately, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that all human rights monitoring positions within UNAMSIL are filled in order to address the concerns raised in paragraphs 40 to 43 of the report of the Secretary-General;

5. Welcomes the efforts made by the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF towards full implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement signed in Abuja on 10 November 2000 (S/2000/1091) between the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF and reaffirmed at the meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations, the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF at Abuja on 2 May 2001, and encourages them to continue those efforts;

6. In particular, urges the RUF to step up its efforts to fulfil its commitment under the Abuja Ceasefire Agreement to ensure full liberty for the United Nations to deploy its troops throughout the country and also, with a view to restoring the authority of the Government of Sierra Leone throughout the country, to ensure the free movement of persons, goods and humanitarian assistance, unimpeded and safe movement of humanitarian agencies, refugees and displaced persons and the immediate return of all seized weapons, ammunition and other equipment;

7. Encourages the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF to continue to take steps towards furthering of dialogue and national reconciliation, and, in this regard, stresses the importance of the reintegration of the RUF into Sierra Leone society and the transformation of the RUF into a political party, and demands that the RUF cease any effort at maintaining options for military action;

8. Requests UNAMSIL to continue to support, within its capabilities and areas of deployment, returning refugees and displaced persons and urges the RUF to cooperate to this end in fulfilment of its commitments under the Abuja Ceasefire Agreement;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Council, further to his report of 23 May 2001 (S/2001/513), an update of his views on how to take forward the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, including their return;

10. Urges Governments and regional leaders concerned to continue their full cooperation with ECOWAS and the United Nations to promote the efforts of all parties to the Sierra Leone conflict towards the full and peaceful implementation of the Abuja Ceasefire Agreement, and to provide assistance to that end;

11. Encourages the ongoing efforts of ECOWAS towards a lasting and final settlement of the crisis in the Mano River Union region, and underlines the importance of the continuing political and other support that the United Nations provides to these efforts in order to stabilize the region;

12. Welcomes the positive impact of progress made in the Sierra Leone peace process on the situation in the Mano River basin, including the recent Ministerial meetings of the Mano River Union and the prospects for a summit meeting of Mano River Union Presidents, and in this regard, encourages the efforts of the Mano River Union Women’s Peace Network towards regional peace;

13. Emphasizes the importance of a successful disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme to long-term stability in Sierra Leone, welcomes the progress made in that process and urges the RUF, CDF and other groups to continue their commitment to, and active participation in, the programme;

14. Expresses concern at the serious financial shortfall in the multi-donor Trust Fund for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme, and urges international organizations and donor countries to support generously and urgently the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone in this regard, as well as provide additional funds for the wide range of urgently needed post-conflict activities, including humanitarian and rehabilitation requirements;

15. Emphasizes the importance of free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections for the long-term stability of Sierra Leone and takes note of UNAMSIL's readiness to provide support, within its capabilities, to facilitate the smooth holding of the elections;

16. Emphasizes that the development and extension of the administrative capacities of Sierra Leone are essential to sustainable peace and development in the country, and to the holding of free, fair and transparent elections, and therefore urges the Government of Sierra Leone, with the assistance of UNAMSIL, in accordance with its mandate, to accelerate and coordinate efforts to restore civil authority and basic public services throughout the country (including in the diamond mining areas), including by the deployment of key administrative officials and the Sierra Leone police and the progressive involvement of the Sierra Leone Army in providing border security against external forces, and encourages States, other international organizations and non-governmental organizations to provide appropriate assistance in this regard;

17. Encourages the Government of Sierra Leone, together with the Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant international actors, to expedite the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court envisaged by resolution 1315 (2000) of 14 August 2000, bearing in mind in particular the need to ensure the appropriate protection of children, and urges donors urgently to commit funds for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to disburse their financial pledges to the Trust Fund for the Special Court;

18. Welcomes the Secretary-General’s intention to keep the security, political, humanitarian and human rights situation in Sierra Leone under close review and to report to the Council, after due consultations with troop-contributing countries, with any additional recommendations, including on how UNAMSIL will provide support to the Government of Sierra Leone in holding elections;

19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.