United Nations Security Council Resolution 1260
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1260, adopted unanimously on August 20, 1999, after recalling resolutions 1171
(1998), 1181
(1998) and 1231
(1999) on the situation in Sierra Leone
, the Council strengthened the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) by up to 210 additional military observers.
The Security Council recalled that Resolution 1245
(1999) extended UNOMSIL's mandate until December 13, 1999 and affirmed the commitment of all states to respect the sovereignty
, territorial integrity
and independence of Sierra Leone.
On July 7, 1999, a peace agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front
(RUF) in Lomé
and the country was praised for its efforts to achieve peace. The Council authorised an expansion of up to 210 military observers for UNOMSIL, which would be protected by the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group
(ECOMOG). Furthermore, it also authorised a strengthening of the political, civil affairs, information, human rights
and child protection elements of the UNOMSIL peacekeeping
force, including the appointment of a deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General
and expansion of the office of the Special Representative.
The RUF and other armed groups in Sierra Leone were called upon to lay down their arms
and also participate in demobilisation and reintegration programmes. The Council welcomed that the peace agreement provided for the establishment of a truth and a human rights commission, and the adoption of a human rights manifesto
by the parties in the country. There was need for international assistance for war victims and the provision of humanitarian aid
, in particular areas of the country inaccessible to aid agencies. Long-term attention to child victims of the conflict was essential, and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the country was also important.
Finally, the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
was directed to report on the situation as soon as possible including recommendations for the mandate
and structure of the enhanced UNOMSIL force in Sierra Leone.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1260, adopted unanimously on August 20, 1999, after recalling resolutions 1171
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1171
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1171, adopted unanimously on June 5, 1998, after recalling resolutions 1132 , 1156 and 1162 on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, terminated the arms embargo against the Government of...
(1998), 1181
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1181
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1181, adopted unanimously on July 13, 1998, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council established the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone to monitor the military and security situation in the...
(1998) and 1231
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1231
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1231, adopted unanimously on March 11, 1999, after recalling resolutions 1181 and 1220 on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone until June 13, 1999.The resolution began by...
(1999) on the situation in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, the Council strengthened the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) by up to 210 additional military observers.
The Security Council recalled that Resolution 1245
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1245
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1245, adopted unanimously on June 11, 1999, after recalling resolutions 1181 , 1220 and 1231 on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone for a further six months until...
(1999) extended UNOMSIL's mandate until December 13, 1999 and affirmed the commitment of all states to respect the sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
, territorial integrity
Territorial integrity
Territorial integrity is the principle under international law that nation-states should not attempt to promote secessionist movements or to promote border changes in other nation-states...
and independence of Sierra Leone.
On July 7, 1999, a peace agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front
Revolutionary United Front
The Revolutionary United Front was a rebel army that fought a failed eleven-year war in Sierra Leone, starting in 1991 and ending in 2002. It later developed into a political party, which existed until 2007...
(RUF) in Lomé
Lomé
Lomé, with an estimated population of 737,751, is the capital and largest city of Togo. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, Lomé is the country's administrative and industrial center and its chief port. The city exports coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm kernels...
and the country was praised for its efforts to achieve peace. The Council authorised an expansion of up to 210 military observers for UNOMSIL, which would be protected by the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group
Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group
The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, or ECOMOG, was a West African multilateral armed force established by the Economic Community of West African States . ECOMOG was a formal arrangement for separate armies to work together...
(ECOMOG). Furthermore, it also authorised a strengthening of the political, civil affairs, information, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and child protection elements of the UNOMSIL peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
force, including the appointment of a deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
A Special Representative of the Secretary-General is a highly respected expert who has been appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to represent her/him in meetings with heads of state on critical human rights issues...
and expansion of the office of the Special Representative.
The RUF and other armed groups in Sierra Leone were called upon to lay down their arms
Disarmament
Disarmament is the act of reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons. Disarmament generally refers to a country's military or specific type of weaponry. Disarmament is often taken to mean total elimination of weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear arms...
and also participate in demobilisation and reintegration programmes. The Council welcomed that the peace agreement provided for the establishment of a truth and a human rights commission, and the adoption of a human rights manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
by the parties in the country. There was need for international assistance for war victims and the provision of humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
, in particular areas of the country inaccessible to aid agencies. Long-term attention to child victims of the conflict was essential, and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the country was also important.
Finally, the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
was directed to report on the situation as soon as possible including recommendations for the mandate
Mandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
and structure of the enhanced UNOMSIL force in Sierra Leone.
See also
- History of Sierra LeoneHistory of Sierra LeoneThe history of Sierra Leone began when the lands became inhabited at least 2,500 years ago. Sierra Leone played a significant part in modern African political liberty and nationalism, and became an independent nation in 1961...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1201 to 1300 (1998 – 2000)
- Sierra Leone Civil WarSierra Leone Civil WarThe Sierra Leone Civil War began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front , with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia , intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh government...