United Nations Security Council Resolution 1231 – Sierra Leone
Resolution 1231 (1999)
The Security Council,
Recalling its resolutions 1181 (1998) of 13 July 1998 and 1220 (1999) of12 January 1999 and the statement of its President of 7 January 1999(S/1999/PRST/1),
Expressing its continued concern over the fragile situation in SierraLeone,
Affirming the commitment of all States to respect the sovereignty,political independence and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone,
Having considered the fifth Report of the Secretary-General on the UnitedNations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) of 4 March 1999 (S/1999/237)and noting the recommendations contained therein,
- Decides to extend the mandate of UNOMSIL until 13 June 1999;
2. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to re-establishUNOMSIL in Freetown as soon as possible, and to that end to increase the currentnumber of military observers and human rights personnel as referred to inparagraphs 46 and 54 of his report, and to re-deploy the necessary staff tosupport the relocation to Freetown, subject to strict attention to the securitysituation there;
3. Condemns the atrocities perpetrated by the rebels on the civilian population of Sierra Leone, including in particular those committed againstwomen and children, deplores all violations of human rights and internationalhumanitarian law which have occurred in Sierra Leone during the recent escalation of violence as referred to in paragraphs 21 to 28 of the report ofthe Secretary-General, including the recruitment of children as soldiers, and urges the appropriate authorities to investigate all allegations of suchviolations with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice;
4. Calls upon all parties to the conflict in Sierra Leone fully torespect human rights and international humanitarian law and the neutrality andimpartiality of humanitarian workers, and to ensure full and unhindered accessfor humanitarian assistance to affected populations;
5. Expresses its grave concern at continued reports that support is beingafforded to the rebels in Sierra Leone, including through the supply of arms andmercenaries, in particular from the territory of Liberia;
6. Acknowledges the letter of the President of Liberia to the Secretary-General of 23 February 1999 (S/1999/213) and the statement by the Government ofLiberia of 19 February 1999 (S/1999/193) on the action it is taking to curtailthe involvement of Liberian nationals in the fighting in Sierra Leone, includingmeasures to encourage the return of Liberian fighters and directives to theLiberian national security agencies to ensure that no cross-border movement ofarms takes place and that there be no transshipment of arms and ammunitionthrough Liberian territory, and requests the Secretary-General to continue toconsider, in coordination with the countries of the Mano River Union and othermember States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), thepracticability and effectiveness of the deployment of United Nations monitorsalong with forces of the Military Observer Group of ECOWAS (ECOMOG) at theLiberia/Sierra Leone border;
7. Reaffirms the obligation of all States to comply strictly with theprovisions of the embargo on the sale or supply of arms and related matérielimposed by its resolution 1171 (1998) of 5 June 1998;
8. Expresses its intention to keep the issue of external support to therebels in Sierra Leone under close review, and to consider further steps toaddress this in the light of developments on the ground;
9. Expresses its support for all efforts, in particular by ECOWAS States,aimed at peacefully resolving the conflict and restoring lasting peace andstability to Sierra Leone, encourages the Secretary-General, through his SpecialRepresentative for Sierra Leone, to facilitate dialogue to these ends, welcomesthe statement of the President of Sierra Leone of 7 February 1999 (S/1999/138,annex) expressing his Government’s readiness to continue their efforts fordialogue with the rebels, and calls upon all parties involved, especially therebels, to participate seriously in these efforts;
10. Commends the efforts of ECOMOG towards the restoration of peace,security and stability in Sierra Leone, and calls upon all Member States toprovide ECOMOG with financial and logistical support and to consider theprovision of prompt bilateral assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone inthe creation of a new Sierra Leonean army to defend the country;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council closely informed on the situation in Sierra Leone and in this regard to submit an additional report to the Council with recommendations on the future deployment of UNOMSIL and the implementation of its mandate by 5 June 1999;
12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3986th meeting,on 11 March 1999.
