Sierra Leone
Expected Council Action
In September the Council is expected to consider the Secretary-General’s next report on the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). The mandate of UNIPSIL, which expires on 30 September, is expected to be renewed for another one year.
Key Recent Developments
On 8 June the Council was briefed in an open meeting by the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNIPSIL, Michael von der Schulenburg, on the Secretary-General’s latest report on UNIPSIL. The chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s (PBC) country-specific configuration on Sierra Leone, Ambassador John McNee of Canada, highlighted the findings of his recent visit to the country and the preparations for the PBC’s high-level special session on Sierra Leone on 10 June.
Also participating in the meeting was the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, Zainab Hawa Bangura, who briefed the Council on the peace consolidation efforts of the Sierra Leonean government.
Developments in the Peacebuilding Commission The meeting agreed on the following conclusions and recommendations which the Commission indicated would form the basis for the future engagement of the PBC with Sierra Leone:
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On 13 July the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, charged before the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone with 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the civil war in Sierra Leone, resumed at The Hague with the opening of the defence case. The defence started with the testimony of Taylor himself, who on 14 July spoke for the first time in public since his transfer to The Hague in 2006. He denied all charges and said that the case against him was based on misinformation and lies. His testimony was expected to last some four weeks. The defence has said it has a list of 249 witnesses but may not call on all to testify. Currently, the trial is expected to continue until February with a possible ruling in July 2010 and a sentencing in August 2010.
On 16 July the Security Council was briefed during an open meeting by the President of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Justice Renate Winter, on the Court’s activities. She said that the Court had set many precedents in international criminal law since its inception. She also indicated that the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor was critical to preserving peace and stability in West Africa. Winter said the Court needed $30 million to successfully complete its mandate.
Special Court Prosecutor Stephen Rapp also briefed the Council during the 16 July meeting. He said the Court offered justice for victims of the Sierra Leonean war by holding to account those alleged to bear the greatest responsibility for those crimes.
Human Rights-Related Developments
The latest annual report on Sierra Leone by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights observed a positive trend in 2008 towards respect for civil and political rights. Progress towards overcoming delays in the administration of justice was made through the government’s launch of a three-year Justice Sector Reform Strategy and Investment Plan through 2010. Parliament passed legislation in August 2008 strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission, by conferring powers of prosecution on it. Challenges identified in the report include securing new funding for the national Human Rights Commission and implementing various outstanding recommendations of the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement and of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. |
Key Issues
The key issue for the Council is renewing the mandate of UNPISIL, which does not seem to be controversial at this stage.
Another related issue is ensuring that UNIPSIL adds value to peace consolidation in the country as anticipated by its mandate. The mission is mandated to focus on support to the government of Sierra Leone in:
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providing political support to national and local efforts in identifying and resolving tensions and threats of potential conflict;
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monitoring and promoting human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law;
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consolidating good governance reforms, especially antiācorruption instruments such as the Anti-Corruption Commission; and
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supporting efforts towards decentralisation, a review of the 1991 Constitution and enactment of relevant legislation.
Council Dynamics
The mandate is expected to be extended by the Council for another 12 months without any modifications in view of the continuing consensus among members on the need to carry on consolidating peace in Sierra Leone through peacebuilding.
The UK is the lead country on this issue in the Council.
Underlying Problems
The political tensions and socioeconomic problems that fomented the civil war still persist. Widespread poverty, together with a 70 percent youth unemployment rate and endemic corruption pose formidable challenges to peace consolidation.
Selected Security Council Resolutions |
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Selected Secretary-General’s Reports |
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Other |
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Peacebuilding Commission |
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UNIPSIL Executive Representative of the Secretary-General |
Michael von der Schulenburg (Germany) |
Size and Composition of Mission |
Staff strength (as of 30 June 2009): 26 international civilians |
Duration |
1 October 2008 to present; current mandate expires 30 September 2009 |