SIERRA LEONE

Gradual Return to Stability Raises Hopes
for Sierra Leone's Future

War-weary voters went to the polls in Sierra Leone on 14 May 2002, confirming the nation's gradual return to stability under the watchful presence of United Nations peacekeepers. The umbrella of security provided by the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has enabled the Government to restore its authority in all parts of the country. With disarmament and demobilization completed by 17 January, UNAMSIL focused its attention on security and logistical support for national elections that attracted 81 per cent of the country's registered voters.

UN electoral support

UNAMSIL Photo: A. Rehman 2002

Sierra Leonean soldiers and police vote, May 2002

In addition to technical advice during the preparatory stage of the elections, UNAMSIL supplied communication and other logistical support to the National Electoral Commission, using surface transport and helicopters to move ballot materials and personnel around the country. Some 11,000 troops were temporarily redeployed to about 200 high-risk areas to provide additional security on election day. The UN mission's radio station provided up-to-theminute voting reports from various parts of the country.

Military and civilian personnel from UNAMSIL visited 4,700 of the 5,256 polling stations. The day was violence-free and delivered a resounding presidential endorsement (70.06 per cent of the votes) for Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. All nine political parties contesting the election accepted the results and announced their commitment to working with President Kabbah to rebuild the country.

Supporting national recovery

Following the election, UNAMSIL entered phase three of its operation, turning its attention to unfinished aspects of the peace process, including the re-integration of excombatants, the consolidation of State authority throughout the country, and the promotion of justice, human rights and national reconciliation. At the same time, UN organizations addressed issues related to national recovery and capacity-building to help the Government deliver critical public services, especially in the provinces.

In September, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that by underpinning national stability since the election, UNAMSIL had reassured the population and added momentum to the nation's gradual return to normality. He said this was manifested in freedom of movement throughout the country, the revival of commercial activity and remarkable progress in resettling displaced populations. About 31,000 of the 55,000 former combatants who had registered for reintegration had already been included in project activities.

Threats to stability

UNAMSIL Photo: A. Rehman, May 2002

Ballot boxes arrive in Kono. UNAMSIL troops from Pakistan help officials of Sierra Leone's National Election Commission offload ballot boxes for distribution to polling centres.

Conflict in neighbouring Liberia remained a threat to Sierra Leone's stability, however. Armed elements from Liberia continued to raid border hamlets for food and to abduct villagers. UNAMSIL increased ground and air patrols in these areas, and the Secretary- General's Special Representative, Oluyemi Adeniji, met with the leaders of Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and Mali, and with the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission of West African States. He drew their attention to the risks that instability in Liberia posed to the progress achieved in Sierra Leone.

In September, the Secretary-General provided the Security Council with details of a proposed reduction in UNAMSIL's military presence as the size and capacity of the national police force are strengthened. The goal is to increase the size of the police force from 6,000 (June 2002) to 9,500. Training is being provided by the UN civilian police component of the mission and by the Commonwealth police training team. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the British Government provided equipment.

The Secretary-General said that a phased drawdown would give the Government of Sierra Leone "breathing space to build up its capacity and mobilize the resources needed to address not only the consequences of the war, but also its root causes, in particular misgovernance, corruption and the erosion of fundamental human rights."

Rebuilding legal capacity

The Government of the United Kingdom, together with UNDP and UNAMSIL, also directed support in 2002 to rebuilding an impartial, transparent and independent judiciary. In addition, UNDP, UNAMSIL and donors worked closely with the Government to help restore the basic administrative capacity of local government.

UNAMSIL's Human Rights Section continued to investigate past human rights abuses, and progress was made on the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Commission’s interim secretariat began work on 25 March and on 13 May, President Kabbah announced the appointment of four national and three international commissioners. However, only about $US 1.1 million of the Commission's revised operating budget of $US 7 million had been pledged by September. Parliament passed legislation empowering the Special Court, and eight judicial appointments to the Trial and Appeals chambers were announced in July. Both the Commission and the Court have requested logistical support from UNAMSIL.

Many challenges remain

Despite the umbrella of security that UNAMSIL has provided, much remains to be done. Sierra Leone's police and armed forces must have the means and the capacity to secure the nation's border against armed incursions. Opportunities must be provided for the nation's unemployed youth and for some 24,000 excombatants still awaiting reintegration into civilian life. Both groups are a potential source of instability, particularly in urban areas. The Government must also consolidate its authority in the volatile diamond-mining areas that fueled the decade of war just ended.

In his September 2002 report, the Secretary-General said that, while the considerable political, human and financial resources invested in Sierra Leone to date had brought UN operations "to the verge of success", the international community must "stay the course" and provide the resources needed for the reintegration of ex-combatants, the enhancement of local police capacity, and an effective transition to peace-building.