SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY DEPLORES ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN SIERRA LEONE
Press Release
SC/6374
SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY DEPLORES ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN SIERRA LEONE
19970527 Presidential Statement Calls For Immediate Restoration of Constitutional OrderThe Security Council this afternoon strongly deplored the attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government in Sierra Leone and called for an immediate restoration of constitutional order there.
Through a statement read out by its President, Park Soo Gil (Republic of Korea), the Council expressed deep concern about the recent military coup d'etat in Sierra Leone, especially when the United Nations was assisting the process of reconciliation there. It underlined the imperative necessity of implementing the Abidjan Peace Agreement which, it said, continues to serve as a viable framework for peace, stability and reconciliation.
The Council strongly condemned the violence which had been inflicted upon both local and expatriate communities, in particular United Nations and other international personnel serving in the country. Recalling the obligations of all concerned to ensure their protection, it called for an end to the looting of premises and equipment belonging to the United Nations and international aid agencies.
The Council also took note of a communiqué issued yesterday by the Central Organ of the Organization of African Unity Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, which unequivocally condemned the coup d'etat and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order.
Under the Abidjan Agreement, signed by the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front on 30 November 1996, the parties declared an immediate end to the armed conflict and reaffirmed their commitment to observing the cease-fire. In a 26 January report (document S/1997/80), the Secretary-General described the Agreement as providing a framework for further democratization and equitable social and economic development in Sierra Leone.
The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1997/29, reads as follows:
"The Security Council is deeply concerned about the military coup d'etat in Sierra Leone, especially when the United Nations is assisting the process
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6374 3781st Meeting (PM) 27 May 1997
of reconciliation in that country. It strongly deplores this attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government and calls for an immediate restoration of constitutional order. The Council takes note of the communiqué of the Central Organ of the Organization of African Unity Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution of 26 May 1997, and underlines the imperative necessity of implementing the Abidjan Agreement which continues to serve as a viable framework for peace, stability and reconciliation in Sierra Leone.
"The Security Council strongly condemns the violence which has been inflicted on both local and expatriate communities, in particular United Nations and other international personnel serving in the country. It recalls the obligations of all concerned to ensure the protection of United Nations and other international personnel in the country, and calls for an end to the looting of premises and equipment belonging to the United Nations and international aid agencies."
The meeting, which was called to order at 5:25 p.m., was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
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