United Nations Security Council Resolution 1470 – Sierra Leone
Resolution 1470 (2003)
The Security Council,
Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the situation in Sierra Leone,
Affirming the commitment of all States to respect the sovereignty, politicalindependence and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone,
Expressing its concern at the continuing fragile security situation in the ManoRiver region, particularly the conflict in Liberia and its consequences forneighbouring States, including Côte d’Ivoire, and at the substantial number of refugees and the humanitarian consequences for the civilian, refugee and internally displaced populations in the region, and emphasizing the importance of cooperation among the countries of the subregion,
Recognizing that the security situation in Sierra Leone remains fragile, andrecognizing the need to strengthen further the capacity, and to mobilize theresources, of the Sierra Leone Police and armed forces to enable them to maintainsecurity and stability independently,
Noting certain recent challenges to security described in paragraphs 2 to 9 ofthe Secretary-General’s report of 17 March 2003 (S/2003/321),
Reiterating the importance of the effective consolidation of State authority throughout Sierra Leone, particularly in the diamond fields, the reintegration of ex-combatants, voluntary and unhindered return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and full respect for human rights and the rule of law, paying special attention to the protection of women and children, and stressing continued United Nations support to the Government of Sierra Leone in fulfilling these objectives,
Emphasizing the importance of the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in taking effective action on impunity and accountability and in promoting reconciliation,
Emphasizing the importance of the continuing support of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) to the Government of Sierra Leone in the consolidation of peace and stability,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 17 March 2003(S/2003/321),
- Decides that the mandate of UNAMSIL shall be extended for a period ofsix months from 30 March 2003;
2. Expresses its appreciation to those Member States providing troops,civilian police personnel and support elements to UNAMSIL and those who havemade commitments to do so;
3. Commends UNAMSIL for the progress made in the adjustments to itssize, composition and deployment, as outlined in paragraphs 10 and 11 of theSecretary-General’s report of 17 March 2003 (S/2003/321), achieved whilecontinuing to support the Sierra Leonean security forces in maintaining internalsecurity and protecting Sierra Leone’s territorial integrity;
4. Urges UNAMSIL, guided by an evaluation of the security situation andthe capacity and ability of the Sierra Leonean security sector to take responsibility for internal and external security, to complete phase 2 of the Secretary-General’splan as planned and to embark on phase 3 as soon as practicable thereafter;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Council with detailed plans for the remainder of the drawdown once phase 3 is under way, including options for faster and slower withdrawal depending on the security situation and the capacity and ability of the Sierra Leonean security sector to take responsibility for internal and external security;
6. Expresses concern at the continuing financial shortfall in the multi-donor Trust Fund for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme, and urges the Government of Sierra Leone to seek actively the urgently needed additional resources for reintegration;
7. Emphasizes that the development of the administrative capacities of theGovernment of Sierra Leone, particularly and effective and sustainable police force,army, penal system and independent judiciary, is essential to long-term peace anddevelopment, and urges the Government of Sierra Leone, with the assistance ofdonors and UNAMSIL, in accordance with its mandate, to accelerate theconsolidation of civil authority and public services throughout the country, and tostrengthen the operational effectiveness and capabilities of the security sector;
8. Calls on States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to continue to support the National Recovery Strategy of the Government of Sierra Leone;
9. Notes the efforts made by the Government of Sierra Leone towards effective control of the diamond mining areas, urges the Government of Sierra Leone to consider urgently relevant policy options for more effective regulation andcontrol of diamond mining activities, and encourages the Government of SierraLeone to adopt and implement such a policy as soon as possible;
10. Welcomes the progress with deployment of United Nations civilian police to UNAMSIL and urges Member States able to do so to provide qualified civilian police trainers and advisers, and resources, to help the Sierra Leone Police to fulfil its size and capacity targets;
11. Reiterates its strong support for the Special Court for Sierra Leone,appeals to States to contribute generously to the Trust Fund for the Special Court, asrequested in the Secretary-General’s letter of 18 March 2003, appeals to existingdonors to disburse their pledges rapidly, and urges all States to cooperate fully withthe Court;
12. Welcomes the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission andprogress made in its activities, and urges donors to commit funds to it generously;
13. Urges the Presidents of the Mano River Union member States to resume dialogue and to implement their commitments to building regional peace andsecurity, encourages the Economic Community of West African States and Moroccoto continue their efforts towards a settlement of the crisis in the Mano River Unionregion, and expresses its support for the efforts of the International Contact Groupon Liberia towards a resolution of the conflict in that country;
14. Notes with concern the recent instability on the border between SierraLeone and Liberia, demands that the armed forces of Liberia and any armed groups refrain from illegal incursions into the territory of Sierra Leone, calls upon all States to comply fully with all relevant resolutions of the Council, including the embargoon all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Liberia, and encourages theSierra Leonean armed forces, together with UNAMSIL, to maintain intensivepatrolling of the border with Liberia;
15. Encourages the Government of Sierra Leone to pay special attention tothe needs of women and children affected by the war, bearing in mind paragraph 42of the report of the Secretary-General of 17 March 2003 (S/2003/321);
16. Encourages the continued support of UNAMSIL, within its capabilities and areas of deployment, for the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons,and urges all stakeholders to continue to cooperate to this end to fulfil their commitments under the Abuja Ceasefire Agreement of 10 November 2000(S/2000/1091);
17. Welcomes the Secretary-General’s intention to keep the security,political, humanitarian and human rights situation in Sierra Leone under close review and to report to the Council, after due consultations with troop-contributing countries and the Government of Sierra Leone, with any additional recommendations;
18. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4729th meeting, on 28 March 2003.
