SIERRA LEONE - VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON UNIOSIL

UNCLAS STATE 169391

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM XA XY SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE - VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON UNIOSIL


1. This is an action message. See paragraph 2.


2. USUN is instructed to vote in favor of the UNIOSIL
extension resolution scheduled for adoption by the Council
on December 21. Full text of the resolution follows:

The Security Council,

Re-affirming its previous Resolutions and the statements
of its President concerning the situation in Sierra Leone,
in particular Resolutions 1734 (2006),1688 (2006) and
1620 (2005),

Commending the valuable contribution that the United
Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) has
made to the recovery of Sierra Leone from conflict and to
the country's peace, security and development,

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General dated 4
December and the recommendation that the mandate of
UNIOSIL is extended for a further 9 months until 30
September 2008 with a view to providing continued
peacebuilding assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone
and preparing for the local elections in June 2008,

Noting the letter of 22 October 2007 from the President of
Sierra Leone to the Secretary-General requesting the
extension of the mandate of UNIOSIL,

Welcoming the holding of peaceful and democratic
parliamentary and presidential elections in August and
September 2007, and stressing that the wide acceptance of
the local elections in June 2008 will be another important
milestone in consolidating a sustainable peace in Sierra
Leone,

Emphasizing the importance of the continued support of the
United Nations system and the international community for
the long-term peace, security and development of Sierra
Leone, particularly through strengthening the capacity of
the Government of Sierra Leone,

Welcoming the adoption on 12 December 2007 of the
Peacebuilding Co-operation Framework highlighting inter
alia five priority areas in the peace consolidation
process to be addressed by the Government of Sierra Leone
with the support of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC),
the United Nations system and bilateral and multi-national
partners.

Welcoming the progress made in reforming the security
sector in Sierra Leone and, in particular, the developing
professionalism of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces and
police, and urging further strengthening and rationalizing
of the security architecture so that the police and Armed
Forces are sustainable in the long term and able to carry
out their tasks effectively,

Reiterating its appreciation for the work of the Special
Court for Sierra Leone and its vital contribution to
reconciliation and the rule of law in Sierra Leone and the
subregion, reiterating its expectation that the Court will
finish its work expeditiously, and calling upon Member
States to contribute generously to the Court,

Welcoming the role played by ECOWAS and encouraging the
Member States of the Mano River Union and other
organisations to continue their efforts aimed at building
regional and sub-regional peace and security,


1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNIOSIL, as
outlined in resolution 1620 (2005),until 30 September
2008;


2. Requests the Secretary-General to submit by 31
January 2008, and for the Council's consideration, a
completion strategy for UNIOSIL including:

- at least a 20% reduction in staff numbers by 31
March 2008;
- a continued mission at 80% of the current
strength until the 31 June 2008; and
- the termination of UNIOSIL's mandate by 30
September 2008.


3. Emphasises the importance of UNIOSIL focusing,
in particular, on providing assistance to the local
elections scheduled for 21 June 2008, and to national
commissions and institutions for the promotion of good
governance and human rights, and actively supporting the
work of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding
Fund; and, in this regard, requests the Secretary-General
to ensure there is adequate capacity, expertise and
resources within UNIOSIL;


4. Expresses its intention that, on the expiration
of its mandate, UNIOSIL should be replaced by a UN
integrated political office to focus on carrying forward
the peacebuilding process, mobilising international donor
support, supporting the work of the Peacebuilding
Commission and Fund, and completing any residual tasks
left over from UNIOSIL's mandate, in particular promoting
national reconciliation and supporting the constitutional
reform process; and requests the Secretary General to
submit specific proposals on the mandate, structure and
strength of the successor office in his next report to the
Council in April 2008;


5. Calls upon all parties in Sierra Leone to ensure
that the 2008 local elections are peaceful, transparent,
free and fair; further calls upon the Government of Sierra
Leone to provide the necessary support for the electoral
institutions; and urges Member States and relevant
international and regional organisations to provide
technical and material support;


6. Emphasises that the Government of Sierra Leone
bears the primary responsibility for peacebuilding,
security and long-term development in the country, and
encourages the Government of Sierra Leone to continue its
close engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission,
including through the regular monitoring of progress in
the implementation of the Sierra Leone Peacebuilding
Co-operation Framework, and international donors to
continue to provide support to the Government;


7. Calls upon the Government of Sierra Leone,
UNIOSIL and all other stakeholders in the country to
increase their efforts to promote good governance,
including through continued measures to combat corruption,
improve accountability, promote the development of the
private sector to generate wealth and employment
opportunities, strengthen the judiciary and promote human
rights;


8. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the
United Nations, decides to exempt from the measures
imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 1132 (1997) the
travel of any witnesses whose presence at trial before the
Special Court for Sierra Leone is required;


9. Emphasises the important role of women in the
prevention and resolution of conflicts and in
peacebuilding, as recognised in resolution 1325 (2000),
underlines that a gender perspective should be taken into
account in implementing all aspects of the mandate of
UNIOSIL, encourages UNIOSIL to work with the Government of
Sierra Leone in this area, and requests the
Secretary-General to ensure there is adequate capacity,

SIPDIS
expertise and resources within UNIOSIL to carry out this
work and, where appropriate, to include in his reporting
to the Council progress on gender mainstreaming throughout
UNIOSIL and all other aspects relating to the situation of
women and girls, especially in relation to the need to
protect them from gender-based violence;


10. Welcomes the efforts undertaken by UNIOSIL to
implement the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy on
sexual exploitation and abuse to ensure full compliance of
its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct;


11. Requests that the Secretary-General to keep the
Council regularly informed of progress made in the
implementation of the mandate of UNIOSIL and this
resolution;


12. Decides to remain actively seized of the
matter.

End text.
RICE