United Nations Security Council Resolution 1610

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5219th meeting, on 30 June 2005

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and the 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,

Emphasizing the importance of the continued support of the United Nations and the international community for the long-term security and development of Sierra Leone,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 26 April 2005 (S/2005/273), and noting with approval his observations in paragraph 65 on the drawdown schedule of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and in paragraphs 63 to 64 on the need for a strong United Nations system presence in Sierra Leone after the withdrawal of UNAMSIL,

Commending the work of the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission and encouraging the Government of Sierra Leone to disseminate widely the Commission’s report and the Government’s response to it,

Expressing its appreciation for the essential work of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, noting its vital contribution to the establishment of the rule of law in Sierra Leone, and in this regard underlining the importance of ensuring that all those indicted by the Court appear before it, in order to strengthen the stability of Sierra Leone and the subregion and to bring an end to impunity, and encouraging all States to cooperate fully with the Court,

Determining that the situation in Sierra Leone continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Decides that the mandate of UNAMSIL shall be extended for a final period of six months until 31 December 2005;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to finalize the necessary planning for an appropriate integrated United Nations system presence in Sierra Leone, as recommended in paragraphs 63 to 64 of the Secretary-General’s report, with the capacity and expertise to coordinate the activities of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, to cooperate with the donor community, and to continue to support the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone at peace consolidation and long-term development, after UNAMSIL has withdrawn;

3. Encourages UNAMSIL and the United Nations country team in Sierra Leone to continue their close collaboration to ensure a seamless transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, including through the implementation of their joint Transition Plan;

4. Recalls that the Sierra Leone security forces shall effectively assume full responsibility for security in the country after the withdrawal of UNAMSIL;

5. Underlines also the importance of providing effective security for the Special Court for Sierra Leone after UNAMSIL has withdrawn, and requests the Secretary-General to make recommendations on this to the Security Council as soon as possible;

6. Urges the Government of Sierra Leone to continue its efforts to develop an effective, affordable and sustainable police force, armed forces, penal system and independent judiciary, and further to promote good governance and strengthen mechanisms to tackle corruption, and encourages donors and UNAMSIL, in accordance with its mandate, to assist the Government in this regard, as well as in restoring public services throughout the country;

7. Encourages the United Nations missions in the region to continue their efforts towards enhancing inter-mission cooperation, especially in the prevention of movements of arms and combatants across borders and in the implementation of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes;

8. Welcomes the efforts undertaken by UNAMSIL to implement the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of predeployment awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;

9. 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 regularly to the Council, after due consultations with troop-contributing countries and the Government of Sierra Leone;

10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.