SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS ON REBELS IN SIERRA LEONE TO LAY DOWN ARMS, CEASE RESISTANCE TO LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT
Press Release
SC/6518
SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS ON REBELS IN SIERRA LEONE TO LAY DOWN ARMS, CEASE RESISTANCE TO LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT
19980520 Presidential Statement Condemns Atrocities By Rebels, Calls for End to All Violence against CiviliansDeploring the continued resistance to the authority of the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone, the Security Council this afternoon called on all rebels to immediately cease their resistance, lay down their arms and surrender to forces of the Military Observer Group (ECOMOG) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Through a statement read by its President, Njuguna M. Mahugu (Kenya), the Council called for an immediate end to all violence against civilians in Sierra Leone. It condemned as gross violations of international humanitarian law the recent atrocities by members of the Revolutionary United Front and the deposed military junta against civilians, particularly women and children, including widespread rape, mutilation and slaughter.
Expressing grave concern about reports of military support being provided to the rebels, the Council called on all States to strictly observe the provisions of Security Council resolution 1132 (1997) -- which banned the sale of oil and military supplies to Sierra Leone following the overthrow on 25 May 1997 of the democratically elected Government -- and to avoid any action that might further destabilize the situation.
The Council again commended ECOWAS and ECOMOG for the important role they are playing to restore peace and security in the country. It reiterated its call for States to provide technical and logistical support to assist ECOMOG in carrying out its peacekeeping role and bringing an end to the atrocities being committed against the people.
Deeply concerned at the plight of those affected by the continuing insecurity, including tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons, the Council urged those concerned to continue humanitarian assistance. It underscored the importance of a comprehensive response by United Nations agencies in coordination with the Government and with the support of ECOMOG.
Also concerned for the safety of all humanitarian personnel in Sierra Leone, the Council called on all concerned parties to facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies. It urged the parties to protect displaced persons seeking refuge, as well as United Nations and humanitarian aid workers.
The Council recognized the important humanitarian role played by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and relevant non-governmental organizations. It commended the governments of neighboring countries for their reception of refugees and called upon all States and relevant international organizations to help them in responding to the refugee crisis.
The Council welcomed the efforts made by the democratically elected Government since its return on 10 March to re-establish effective administration and the democratic process in Sierra Leone. It encouraged ECOWAS to renew its political efforts to foster peace and stability, and urged all parties to embark on the tasks of national reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation.
All parties concerned were urged to fully respect international law, including human rights and humanitarian law. The Council urged contributions to the trust fund to support peacekeeping and related activities in Sierra Leone, and to humanitarian assistance efforts. It also asked the Secretary- General to keep it advised on the situation.
The meeting, which was called to order at 1:17 p.m., was adjourned at 1:23 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1998/13, reads as follows:
"The Security Council condemns as gross violations of international humanitarian law the recent atrocities carried out against the civilian population, particularly women and children, of Sierra Leone by members of the Revolutionary United Front and the deposed military junta, including widespread rape, mutilation and slaughter. It calls for an immediate end to all violence against civilians. The Council, in this regard, expresses grave concern about reports of military support being provided to the rebels. It calls on all States to observe strictly the provisions of resolution 1132 (1997) and to avoid any action that might further destabilize the situation in Sierra Leone.
"The Security Council deplores the continued resistance to the authority of the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone and calls on all rebels to cease their resistance, lay down their arms and surrender to forces of the Military Observer Group (ECOMOG) of the Economic Community of West African States
Security Council - 3 - Press Release SC/6518 3882nd Meeting (PM) 20 May 1998
(ECOWAS) immediately. It again commends ECOWAS and ECOMOG for the important role they are playing to restore peace and security in Sierra Leone. The Council reiterates its call for States to provide technical and logistical support to assist ECOMOG to continue to enhance its ability to carry out its peacekeeping role, and contribute to bringing an end to the atrocities being committed against the people of Sierra Leone.
"The Security Council expresses deep concern for the plight of all those affected by the continuing insecurity, including the tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons. It urges all those concerned to continue humanitarian assistance and underscores the importance of a comprehensive response by United Nations agencies in coordination with the Government of Sierra Leone and with the support of ECOMOG. The Council also recognizes the important role played by the Organization of African Unity and relevant non- governmental organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in dire need in Sierra Leone. The Council commends the Governments of neighbouring countries for their reception of refugees and calls upon all States and relevant international organizations to help them in responding to the refugee crisis.
"The Security Council expresses concern for the safety of all humanitarian personnel working in Sierra Leone. It calls on all parties concerned to facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies. The Council urges the parties to protect displaced persons seeking refuge, as well as United Nations and humanitarian aid workers.
"The Security Council welcomes the efforts made by the democratically elected Government since its return on 10 March 1998 to restore peace and stability and to re-establish effective administration and the democratic process in Sierra Leone. It encourages ECOWAS to renew its political efforts to foster peace and stability and urges all parties in the country to embark on the tasks of national reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation. The Council urges all parties concerned to respect fully international law, including human rights and humanitarian law.
"The Security Council urges contributions to the trust fund to support peacekeeping and related activities in Sierra Leone, and to humanitarian assistance efforts.
"The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to keep it advised on the situation in Sierra Leon.
"The Security Council will remain seized of this matter."
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