United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

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(Redirected from UNAMSIL)

The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) is a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone.

According to the UN:

"On 22 October 1999, the Security Council established UNAMSIL to cooperate with the Government and the other parties in implementing the Lome Peace Agreement and to assist in the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration plan. On 7 February 2000, the Council revised UNAMSIL's mandate. It also expanded its size, as it did once again on 19 May 2000 and on 30 March 2001."

UNSCR 1289 (2000) was notable for authorizing UNAMSIL to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence (albeit "within its capabilities and areas of deployment") - a return to a more proactive style of UN peacekeeping.

UNAMSIL replaced a previous mission, the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL).

According to Security Council resolution 1270 (1999) of 22 October 1999, UNAMSIL has the following mandate:

To cooperate with the Government of Sierra Leone and the other parties to the Peace Agreement in the implementation of the Agreement
To assist the Government of Sierra Leone in the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration plan
To that end, to establish a presence at key locations throughout the territory of Sierra Leone, including at disarmament/reception centres and demobilization centres
To ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel
To monitor adherence to the ceasefire in accordance with the ceasefire agreement of 18 May 1999 (S/1999/585, annex) through the structures provided for therein
To encourage the parties to create confidence-building mechanisms and support their functioning
To facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance
To support the operations of United Nations civilian officials, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and his staff, human rights officers and civil affairs officers
To provide support, as requested, to the elections, which are to be held in accordance with the present constitution of Sierra Leone

According to Security Council resolution 1289 (2000) of 7 February 2000, the mandate has been revised to include the following tasks (acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations):

To provide security at key locations and Government buildings, in particular in Freetown, important intersections and major airports, including Lungi airport
To facilitate the free flow of people, goods and humanitarian assistance along specified thoroughfares
To provide security in and at all sites of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme
To coordinate with and assist, the Sierra Leone law enforcement authorities in the discharge of their responsibilities
To guard weapons, ammunition and other military equipment collected from ex-combatants and to assists in their subsequent disposal or destruction