SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEDGES SUPPORT OF UNITED NATIONS IN HELPING SIERRA LEONE LEAVE BEHIND UNFORTUNATE CHAPTER IN COUNTRY'S HISTORY

10 March 1998

Press Release
SG/SM/6481
AFR/44

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEDGES SUPPORT OF UNITED NATIONS IN HELPING SIERRA LEONE LEAVE BEHIND UNFORTUNATE CHAPTER IN COUNTRY'S HISTORY

19980310 Welcoming Return of President Kabbah to Sierra Leone, Kofi Annan Says Restoration of Elected Government Strengthens Democracy in Africa

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan's message on the occasion of the return to Sierra Leone of President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, delivered on his behalf by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahima Fall, in Freetown today:

The return of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah to Freetown today, following the removal from power of the illegal military junta, accomplishes a major objective not only of the people of Sierra Leone but also of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the entire international community.

Shortly after the coup d'état last May, speaking at the annual summit meeting of the OAU in Harare, I said that "Africa can no longer tolerate, and accept as fait accompli, coups against elected governments, and the illegal seizure of power by military cliques, who sometimes act for sectional interests, sometimes simply for their own".

Today, with the restoration of the democratically elected government of Sierra Leone, we celebrate a step that strengthens democracy and the rule of law in Africa. And we reiterate the conviction that the will of the people must be the basis of governmental authority.

The diplomacy of ECOWAS and the resolve of the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG) played a crucial role in this turn of events. The OAU and the United Nations Security Council added their voices to the chorus calling for the junta to relinquish power.

Thanks to these efforts, the people of Sierra Leone can now turn their energies to the job of rebuilding their country; of repairing the damage done by months of junta misrule; of restoring the country's civil governance and promoting lasting national reconciliation. I call on the donor community to respond generously to the urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance launched by the United Nations earlier this month.

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The United Nations also looks forward to working closely with President Kabbah in helping to broaden his Government's base, reassert its authority and strengthen its capacity throughout the country, in order to create a stable, united and democratic State. The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into civilian life of all ex-combatants in Sierra Leone will be a major part of this effort, requiring close cooperation among the Government, ECOWAS, ECOMOG and the United Nations system.

As a first step in this direction, I have proposed, subject to the concurrence of the Security Council, that a number of United Nations military observers be deployed alongside ECOMOG to monitor the military and security situation in the country, to help draw up the necessary demobilization plans and to assist in the process of normalization within the country. I also plan to strengthen the Office of my Special Envoy and to establish a Trust Fund for Sierra Leone.

The people of Sierra Leone have been through a period of terrible violence and loss of life and property. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my condolences to all those who have suffered since the coup and to the families of those who lost their lives. As we look to the future, I pledge the full support of the United Nations in helping Sierra Leone to leave behind this unfortunate chapter in the country's history and, from this day forth, to build peace in the fullest sense of the word.

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