UNAMSIL PRESS BRIEFING
15 JUNE 2001
(Near Verbatim)
MARGARET NOVICKI- SPOKESMAN AND
MAJOR MOHAMMED YERIMA- MILITARY SPOKESMAN

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO SIERRA LEONE DISARMAMENT

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, sent a message to the Second Pledging Conference for the Sierra Leone Programme on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, in Paris, 11-12 June. The message was delivered by Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, Special Representative of the Secretary-General. It reads as follows:

"It gives me great pleasure to send my greetings to all the participants in the Second Pledging Conference on the Sierra Leone Programme on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR).

"You meet at a very opportune moment, as significant progress is being made in the Sierra Leone peace process. Past efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict in the country were modestly successful, only to be reversed by fresh resort to arms. But in the period since the resumption of the DDR programme on 18 May 2001, the number of combatants that have been disarmed and are going through the DDR programme has been impressive. In addition, the disarmament of the RUF combatants from the Kambia region, and the orderly and peaceful deployment of the SLA in that district, has not only resolved an important aspect of the Sierra Leone conflict, but could also contribute to improved stability in the Mano River Union and create a safe route for Sierra Leonean refugees who wish to return to their country from Guinea.

"The latest agreement to continue the DDR programme in the Kono and Bonthe districts this month is also very encouraging. Indeed, the pace of implementation is running ahead of our ability to provide the necessary infrastructures. Moreover, the speed of disarmament will shortly outstrip the resources available in the multi-donor trust fund for the programme.

"That is where your role is so crucial. I hope that the international community will respond promptly and adequately with pledges to support the various aspects of the programme. If the DDR programme is to do its part in bringing peace to Sierra Leone, we must do all we can to provide ex-combatants with an alternative to a life of violence through well-funded integration projects. I thank the far-sighted donors who have recognized this need and contributed generously. And I wish all of you a successful conference."

A statement issued by the World Bank at the end of the meeting noted that donors expressed their support for the DDR programme and the government's efforts to consolidate peace. Several donors congratulated the government, as well as UNAMSIL, for the considerable positive progress made since last May. Partners would now, on the basis of the information provided at the meeting, actively consider further contributions to the Multi-donor Trust Fund. The Government of Sierra Leone expressed its strong satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and will follow up with respective partners to finalize arrangements for support in the coming months.

SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS MEASURES TO IMPROVE COOPERATION WITH TROOP-CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES

On Wednesday, 13 June, the Security Council adopted a series of measures aimed at improving its cooperation with countries that contribute troops, military observers or civilian police to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Unanimously adopting a seven-page resolution, the Council set out principles governing its cooperation with troop-contributing countries and pledged to follow-up on its actions. In addition, the resolution elaborates specific procedures for enhancing consultations between the Council and troop contributors, paving the way for greater communication on issues of mutual concern.

"This is a major, major resolution changing the relationship between the troop-contributing countries, the Security Council and the Secretariat," said the current President of the Council, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh. "We have now agreed that the troop-contributing countries can join the Security Council members in a private meeting to discuss the preparation of the mandate for a peacekeeping mission, to discuss their own contribution, to discuss all elements of a peacekeeping mission which was not previously possible."

"There is a closer collaboration and involvement with the troop-contributing countries that will be shaped up through this resolution," he added.

In a statement of principles contained in the text, the Council underlines the importance of bilateral and international cooperation in the area of training, logistics and equipment to help ensure that peacekeepers are able to fulfil their tasks. The Council also underscores the importance of ensuring that national contingents participating in UN peacekeeping operations receive support from the Secretariat, which must be given sufficient resources for that purpose.

In a measure geared towards long-range planning, the statement of principles underlines "the need to maintain a comprehensive approach to improving the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations from their conception, including in preparing contingency plans for volatile situations and promoting cohesive exit strategies."

The resolution also provides a set of operational measures designed to draw on past experience and promote future efficiency. For example, the Council requests the Secretary-General to convene assessment meetings "at appropriate stages of each peacekeeping operation as a part of his efforts to draw the lessons that can be learned, which should be taken into account in the conduct and planning of current and future operations."

Regarding follow-up, the Council pledges to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of its meetings with troop-contributing countries within six months. The resolution also requests the Council's Working Group for Peacekeeping Operations to conduct, within six months, its own assessment of the new measures.

The Council action forms part of an ongoing bid to improve the coherence and managerial efficiency of UN peacekeeping operations. Far-reaching recommendations towards this end were proposed last year in the Report of the Panel on UN Peace Operations. Commissioned by the Secretary-General, the Panel of 10 experts was chaired by former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi.

SRSG VISITS MANGE, KAMBIA AND LUNSAR

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, yesterday undertook a field visit to areas in the north where the disarmament exercise has been taking place, including Mange Bridge, Kambia and Lunsar, to assess the situation with regard to security, the deployment of the SLA, challenges facing the DDR programme, and progress made towards the restoration of civil authority. The SRSG toured the Mange and Kambia bridges, which are in urgent need of rehabilitation work, and visited UNAMSIL peacekeepers of Nigerian Battalion 8 who are deployed at Mange Bridge. He also noted the need for urgent humanitarian assistance to support agricultural activities, schools and rehabilitation of medical facilities in the area.

The SRSG then traveled to Kambia, where he inspected the recent deployment of the Sierra Leone Army, following the completion of the disarmament process in the district. Meeting with the Commanding Officer of the 11 Battalion of the SLA, Maj. T.A. Abu, at his Kambia headquarters, Ambassador Adeniji expressed his satisfaction with the smooth deployment of the national army in the area, and advised them to maintain good relations with the citizenry to advance the peace process.

From Kambia, Ambassador Adeniji flew to Lunsar to witness the ongoing disarmament exercise. He met with Col. Patrick Beinda and Col. Molesky Kallon of the Revolutionary United Front and toured the DDR center where construction work is ongoing to house the demobilized ex-combatants. Approximately 206 RUF have disarmed so far in Lunsar, including 11 children. 195 RUF ex-combatants are currently in the Lunsar DDR center.

The DDR process got under way in Lunsar, Port Loko district, on 13 June, with the disarmament of Col. Molesky Kallon, Brigade Commander of Revolutionary United Front (RUF), and his lieutenants. A total of 40 RUF combatants turned in their weapons on Wednesday, including two children.

The Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande, participated in a brief ceremony at the Lunsar DDR center, in which several weapons, including general purpose machine guns, AK-47s and FN rifles, were destroyed.

In his address to the gathering, Col. Kallon expressed the RUF's commitment to the peace process. He implored all combatants from both the RUF and the Civil Defence Force (CDF) to disarm and make Port Loko District an arms-free zone.

The UNAMSIL Force Commander appealed to the ex-combatants to put the war behind them and start the process of healing and reconciliation. The disarmament process continues in Lunsar.

Also on 13 June, 227 Civil Defence Force (CDF) combatants were disarmed at Sandaru, Kailahun district, and were airlifted to the Daru DDR camp. The combatants turned in 52 assorted weapons, 77 magazines, 5,000 pieces of various ammunition, 38 hand grenades, one smoke grenade and five RPG bombs.

UNAMSIL FORCE COMMANDER VISITS YENGEMA, KOIDU, TONGO AND KENEMA

The Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande, yesterday visited Kono District to inspect the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration centre presently under construction in Yengema. The Charge d'Affaires of the American Embassy in Sierra Leone, Mr. Michael Bajek, accompanied him and other senior UNAMSIL military officers.

The DDR centre, with an expected capacity of 1,120 people, will accommodate ex-combatants from both Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Civil Defence Force (CDF) who will disarm in Kono District. An RUF representative supervising the project, Col. Monica, told the Force Commander that she was satisfied with the pace of the work.

While in the Kono district town of Koidu, Gen. Opande met with the RUF interim leader, Gen. Issa Sesay, and Col. Batten of the CDF, who reassured him of their readiness to start disarmament in the area.

In a brief statement, a CDF official called for urgent steps to implement the disarmament process because "the more you possess arms, the more the temptation to organize evil and use the arms." In his response, the Force Commander thanked the RUF and the CDF leadership for their mutual understanding and cooperation. He assured them that the construction of the Yengema DDR camp was in progress and that there will be simultaneous disarmament of the RUF and CDF in both Kono and Bonthe districts.

Later during the day, Gen. Opande visited Tongo to check on the state of preparedness of combatants for the forthcoming disarmament exercise and to sensitize them on UNAMSIL's plans to deploy in the area. An RUF commander, Col. Banya, told Gen. Opande that his combatants would abide by the decisions of UNAMSIL.

At a ceremony in the market square where hundreds of people gathered, the Force Commander renamed the area "Peace Square." Col. Banya briefed the people of Tongo on the benefits of the disarmament process and implored them to work closely with the combatants and the Government of Sierra Leone to bring about sustainable peace. He advised them to embrace the Government's presence in the area, and explained that it was only the Government that would be able to provide essential services to the people.

Finally, a short ceremony was performed to mark the hand-over to the Force Commander of a CDF prisoner of war, Sheku Seiya, captured by the RUF during skirmishes with CDF on 18 April. The Force Commander brought Mr. Seiya back to Kenema

UNAMSIL CIVIL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS ON FACT_FINDING MISSION WITH CCP TO PORT LOKO

A delegation of Civil and Political Affairs Sections accompanied the Commission on the Consolidation of Peace (CCP) on a fact-finding field trip to Port Loko yesterday, 14 June. The purpose of the trip was to establish the degree of success of different elements of the peace process. Meetings were held with the Regent Chief, SLA Brigade Commander, SLP Chief Police Officer, Nibatt 8 and MILOBs, managers of the interim care centre for ex-child combatants and the DDR camp.

All UNAMSIL and other officials confirmed that there was a problem of looted property, and the need to handle such cases with utmost care, as it could lead to a disruption of the DDR process. The Chief Police Officer and the Regent Chief agreed on the need for a cautious and appropriate approach to resolving any cases involving property. On restoration of civil authority, it was agreed that there was the need to strengthen state presence in all the areas where UNAMSIL is currently deployed.

CALABA TOWN POLICE STATION OPENS

The first of four Police Stations constructed with funds from the Government of Japan's contribution to the UNAMSIL Trust Fund was officially opened yesterday, 14 June, in Calaba Town by Vice President A. Joe Demby, in the presence of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Behrooz Sadry, the Chief of Civil Affairs, and representatives of CIVPOL.

The Vice President, in his remarks, noted the positive contributions of the United Nations in establishing a Trust Fund for Sierra Leone, which he said is helping the country to recover from the devastation of ten years of war. The DSRSG noted that the building of the police station was an indication of the re-establishment of governmental authority and services nationwide.

The project, which provides skills training and reintegration for ex-combatants in the communities where the police stations are located, was implemented by the Sierra Leone Police in collaboration with UNAMSIL CIVPOL.

FIRST REGIONAL CONTACT GROUP MEETING FOR TONGO HELD

The first Regional Contact Group meeting for Tongo was held in Kenema on 13 June, the first time that the RUF representatives came to Kenema for a formal meeting. Besides UNAMSIL Force, MILOBs and Civil Affairs, others who attended included the SLP, SLA and the RUF. The CDF, although invited, did not attend. The RUF affirmed their determination to adhere to the recent agreements and disarm on instructions from their leaders. They also announced that they had 147 child combatants ready to disarm. As a confidence-building measure, it was agreed that the RUF and the CDF cooperate in repairing the Tongo road.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: My question is about the statement you made from the Secretary General. You said that according to him the pace of disarmament is going so fast as to overtake the logistics that are on the ground in terms of disarmament centers and what not. Does that mean that at a point in time you are going to put on hold disarmament program itself?

A: No. I think you are aware of the fact that disarmament came about very quickly. The parties interested in disarming in the Kono district came about very quickly. And the 15th of May agreement said that we were going to discuss a timetable for disarmament, that disarmament would start in Kambia and Port Loko districts and after that, by the end of May, there would be a timetable set for the rest of the country. In the meantime, some CDF combatants came in interested in disarming in the Kono district. The RUF also agreed to disarm in the Kono district. So of course everybody, all the partners- the NCDDR and UNAMSIL- had to look very quickly at how disarmament could be carried out in the Kono district. We didn't have a DDR center set up yet in that area, so the NCDDR had to quickly look at setting up a disarmament center in Yengema, that is in process now. The meeting in Magburaka on the 2nd of June agreed that disarmament would take place in Bonthe and in Kono districts this month. Now we can't disarm people when we don't have the facilities to put them in. We can't just take their weapons away and send them away. They have to go through the DDR process. So what the Secretary-General was saying is that the pace and the willingness of the partners to disarm has been very fast, and we are all trying to keep up with that pace and get the necessary structures set up on the ground so that the ex-combatants can be received.

Q: Secondly, you said that the SLA were deployed in places where one would have expected United Nations peacekeepers should be there. It is a way of saying that the number of troops on the ground, the peacekeepers are been overstretched and as such you are deploying SLA's where really we should have had peacekeepers?

A: I don't know where the SLA is being deployed where we should be. The agreement was always that the SLA would go to Kambia district and deploy there once the RUF withdrew from the area. That was part of the May 15th agreement.

Q: RUF has been in the habit of reneging on their commitments. Since the Freetown Accord was signed, what is your general assessment of the ex-combatants?

A: Of the ex-combatants or the combatants?

Q: The combatants, the RUF, the CDF (inaudible)…

A: I think that the RUF has abided by all of the agreements that they have signed so far.

Q: I think it was agreed by both sides -that is the government and the RUF- that there should be simultaneous disarmament. Lunsar disarmament started there just few days ago. What is happening within part of Pork Loko district, as it was promised that disarmament would take place at Masiaka?

A: It is going on at Masiaka. It's happening at Masiaka right now.

Q: You spoke about challenges facing the DDR. What are these challenges and secondly will you agree with me that the donors in Paris did not pledge anything, rather than they just said we support the DDR program?

A: I think the challenges facing the DDR program are the ones that I have already spelled out. We need to have the facilities on the ground, we need to be equipped with the structures for the ex-combatants to live in, they need to have water, they need to have food, and maybe most importantly, there have to be reintegration packages for the ex-combatants so that they can resume normal civilian life. So I think that those are the major challenges. Now as for the meeting, I think you need to understand the nature of these kinds of meetings. When donor countries come to meetings such as these, they don't come with a cheque in hand that they are going to write out on the spot and hand over. They come , they listen to the progress that has been made and then the representatives go back and report to their respective government and from there they ask their governments for a commitment or a recommendation on how much money they will commit into the process. So I don't think anybody was really expecting that the money was going to be laid down on the table at the meeting itself. Now it is a matter for individual governments to decide, based on the evidence that was presented to them at the meeting, how much money they are going to put in the process. And I'm quite sure judging by the report we received, the meeting was a success. Everybody regarded it as a success, and saw the importance of supporting the DDR process. So I'm sure that donor support will be forthcoming.

Q: I think you said the DDR center under construction in Yengema would accommodate about 1,200 and some combatants. Considering the fact that you still have over 3,000 combatants, CDF and RUF still roaming about with guns in Kono, do you think that center would accommodate up to that number? I understand the RUF of last has been complaining with regards the fact that the SLA has been deploying in areas that have been given over to UNAMSIL. Can you please comment on that?

A: The deployment of the SLA in Kambia was agreed in the Abuja 2 ceasefire review agreement. There is no problem with the deployment, and people have not been complaining so far. The only problem the ex-combatants had was the fear of the molestation. And so far we have not received report of molestation from any SLA to RUF and we still have a deployment there also.

As to in your first question about the Yengema camp, the way the DDR process works normally is that combatants come in, in a steady stream and they spend some time in the disarmament camp and then they are released, they are discharged. Even if the facilities get overstretched a little bit, there is an ebb and flow. Some come in and some go out. So we expect that we will be able to handle that capacity in Yengema.

Q: Just as a follow-up to my colleague's question we had an interview with RUF officials yesterday and one of the point was that the SLA are not complying with an agreement that is to recruit some from the Kambia district after disarmament process. Could you comment on that?

A: That process is just really just beginning. The committee has been set up to evaluate candidates for the SLA and I think also for the SLP.

Q: Now you are talking about disarmament. But I see that we still have these kamajors who are now occupying the Brookfield Hotel. I want to know whether they have been disarmed, and what are they doing in Freetown?

A: I think that is something that needs to be taken up with the responsible government authorities.

Q: I think you did state that there is a resolution coming up on strengthening co-ordination between troop contributing countries preparing for volatile situations, as in the statement you did say cohesive exit strategies. What is that supposed to mean? Is that supposed to mean that UNAMSIL is under pressure? Say the May 8th kind of incident will just pull out?

A: It doesn't mean that. It means that every peacekeeping mission has a beginning and it has an end. So we will look at both the immediate needs and our future needs. When we decide we are going to withdraw our peacekeeping mission, whether it is in conditions of volatility or whether it is in conditions of peace, we need to have strategy prepared within the UN.

Q: Is not too early to start talking about pulling out when you're not (inaudible)…..

A: We are not looking specifically at UNAMSIL, we are looking at peacekeeping in general. We have peacekeeping missions all over the world. What the Brahimi Report did was to make recommendations on how to improve peacekeeping in the general sense. So we are looking at all these points and it is not specific to UNAMSIL.

Q: As there is a timeframe in the disarmament process, I want to know what will UNAMSIL do about weapons that were not accounted for during the disarmament process after the disarmament process would have been concluded? What will UNAMSIL do to retrieve those weapons?

A: I believe it's part of the Freetown agreement which provided that at a certain point in time, once we have determined that the disarmament process has concluded in a given district, Cordon and search operations would be undertaken and anybody who is found with weapons at that point would be turned over to the national law enforcement agencies.

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For additional information, contact UNAMSIL Public Information Office: UNAMSIL Headquarters, Mammy Yoko, P. O. Box 5, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Tel: 232-22-273-183/4/5 Fax: 232-22-273-189