The New York Times

Tuesday, November 8, 1999

U.N. Council Worried By Breaches Of Sierra Leone Accord

By Reuters

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Security Council members voiced dismay Monday at recent clashes in Sierra Leone and other breaches of a July accord meant to end a brutal nine-year civil war.

``They expressed their concern about the recent serious violations of the Lome peace agreement and the resulting deterioration in the security situation in the country,'' council president Danilo Turk of Slovenia said.

In a statement to reporters after the council was briefed by the U.N. secretariat, Turk said members also noted reports of the failure of fighters of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) to enter the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process last week, despite the fact that DDR camps had now opened.

``They expressed dismay at recent clashes and urged the parties to abide by the Lome agreement and solve their differences by peaceful means,'' the statement said.

Council members also expressed concern at the fate of refugees and internally displaced persons in the devastated nation of some 4.4 million and underlined the need for humanitarian aid and rehabilitation assistance.

Members emphasized the obligation of the parties, and in particular former rebel leader Foday Sankoh, to meet their obligations in full under the accord.

``They called on Mr Sankoh to implement all the provisions of the agreement for which he is responsible, and especially to ensure the participation of the RUF in the DDR programs,'' Turk said.

Council members underlined the importance for the successful implementation of the peace accord of the speedy and effective deployment of the U.N. Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), a 6,000-strong force authorized by the council on Oct. 22.

They urged countries able to do so to provide logistical and other specialist support and stressed the continued need for financial and other assistance to a Nigerian-led West African force called ECOMOG that has played a major role in helping end the fighting in Sierra Leone.

Council members emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UNAMSIL and other international personnel in Sierra Leone, Turk added.