After the hacking, killing and sexual abuses that occurred in Sierra Leone, that it has become overshadowed by other events on the continent only unfortunately speaks of the desperate situation in such places as Ivory Coast, Libya, Congo (DRC) and Sudan. However, the political situation in Sierra Leone is still extremely tense with continuing incidents of violence and political intolerance/intimidation. Most of the focus is on rebuilding and rehabilitation of institutions and individuals, particularly the younger generation that has been born into the civil war barely more than a decade or so earlier. (See our latest Report: diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/sierra-leonechildren-re-empowering/26154 The United Nations also continues its presence headed by a special envoy. Michael von der Schulenburg, Secretary-General’s Executive Representative for the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) provided the following caution during his recent testimony before the UN Security Council in March: “The events in Northern Africa and the adjacent region may make it even more important for the Security Council not to lose sight of Sierra Leone and continue to give it the attention that it deserves and still needs. Sierra Leone, which was once a symbol of a failed state, is now gradually evolving into a model country for overcoming old divisions and for developing into a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country.” Mr. von der Schulenberg continued his testimony by acknowledging the achievements as well as the ongoing challenges before the UN Security Council: “Despite all achievements in overcoming its civil war, Sierra Leone will remain fragile and vulnerable to sudden economic, social and political shocks, both from outside and from inside the country. Being one of the world’s poorest countries, the aptitude of the Government to absorb any adverse shock will continue to remain weak.” Ambassador John McNee, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations provided further perspective: “Sierra Leone rightly stands as a multilateral success story for peace-building, yet the story is not quite finished. One of the important lessons learned in the past two decades is that peace-building requires constant and continued support. Faltering now would risk all that has been gained.” Mr. Joseph B. Dauda, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone also testified emphasizing the critical role of the international presence and the country’s continued apparent request for such: “Despite all these efforts of the government and the progress that has been made to date in addressing the many problems that led to the civil war, the sustained support of the international community and our development partners is required to build on the gains made and to further consolidate peace-building in Sierra Leone, as well as to enhance the country’s capacity to absorb shocks, be they economic, social or political.” We should also note that the trial of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, is concluding as well for events related to the broader war before the special war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone in The Hague. Below is another excellent summary of the situation in Sierra Leone and review from Security Council Report (securitycouncilreport.org) of events before the UN Security Council and related institutions. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Face Book at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter - DiplomaticallyX Key Recent Developments The political situation in Sierra Leone remains tense. On 13 November 2010 there were a series of disturbing incidents in which the offices of the main opposition party—the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP)—in Koidu City, Kono District and the residence of an SLPP youth leader were splashed with human excrement. The Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) dispatched staff to monitor the rising political tensions, ascertain the facts and determine if there was a political dimension to the incidents. SLPP staff accused the ruling party—the All People’s Congress (APC)—of being behind the incidents. On 15 November 2010 the houses of two leaders of the APC in Kono and a school run by a relative of an APC politician were also splashed with human excrement. The series of incidents have contributed a new level of unease to an increasingly poisonous political environment, with national elections still 18 months away. The PPRC issued a report in which it concluded that there was no evidence that the incidents were prompted by the leadership of either party. There is a history of violence between the two major parties. (In March 2009 SLPP headquarters were set on fire, with allegations the attackers sexually assaulted SLPP staff.) On 12 November 2010 in The Hague, the defence phase of the trial of Charles Taylor concluded after calling twenty witnesses, including Taylor. The trial chamber was expected to conclude the case on 11 February and adjourn to make the final judgement. However, Taylor and his defence lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths, walked out of the court on 8 February over the judges’ refusal to accept a written brief twenty days after the court deadline. The court directed Griffiths to attend court on 11 February to apologise. The prosecution delivered its closing oral argument on 8 February without Griffiths or Taylor present. On 11 February the court granted the defence leave to appeal the rejection of the late trial brief. A trial judgement is expected in mid-2011. Schulenburg last briefed the Council on developments in Sierra Leone on 28 September 2010. Also on 28 September, the Sierra Leone configuration of the PBC reviewed the outcome of the high-level special session of the PBC on Sierra Leone that was held 10 June 2009. The PBC reiterated its decision to focus its engagement in Sierra Leone on good governance and the rule of law, illicit drug trafficking and youth employment, as well as greater subregional cooperation and the promotion of gender equality and human rights. On 29 September the Council lifted the sanctions that it had imposed on Sierra Leone in response to the civil war in the 1990's and extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) for another year. On 2 to 3 December, UNIPSIL hosted a seminar in Freetown on “strategies and lessons learned on sustainable reintegration and job creation: what works best in West Africa?” The seminar brought together UN representatives and government representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as officials from UN headquarters and other interested states. The seminar recognised that the issue of unemployment, particularly among youths, was a common threat to the stability of countries in the region and that there was value discussing the problem and different solutions sub-regionally. On 23 December the General Assembly decided to fund the remaining costs of the Special Court for Sierra Leone out of regular UN-assessed contributions, following a request by the Secretary-General. top • full forecast Key PBC Developments On 3 December 2010 the Guinea Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone configurations of the PBC held a joint meeting in Freetown following the UNIPSIL seminar on employment, with participants briefing the PBC configurations on the findings of the seminar and on the way forward. The joint meeting represents an innovation that the PBC is keen on exploring further when tackling threats to peacebuilding that are common to more than one country and that require a regional perspective (very much in line with the recommendations emerging from the 2010 review of the PBC). The most natural candidate for future joint discussions within the PBC is transnational crime and drug trafficking, which is presently posing a threat to peace in several West African countries. Human Rights-Related Developments Sierra Leone’s human rights record will be scrutinised on 5 May under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process of the Human Rights Council. Relevant inputs to the UPR will be the report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Sierra Leone for 2010, which noted a number of positive developments. The National Human Rights Commission carried out its mandate to investigate and report on abuses and generally operated without government interference. Progress was observed in addressing endemic corruption and improving access to justice and key economic rights, notably health care and education. And the efforts of the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone made further steps towards achieving accountability for war crimes committed during the armed conflict. However, persistent weaknesses in the performance of the police and judiciary and increased political tension in advance of the 2012 elections slowed the consolidation of the rule of law. HRW also criticised the lack of implementation of the report of the Constitutional Review Committee, submitted in 2008. Key Issues The key issue for the Council is gauging the progress of UNIPSIL’s work in order to decide on the eventual transition from UNIPSIL to a UN country team. A related issue is the stability of Sierra Leone in the context of preparations for the 2012 elections, given the increasingly volatile political environment. The two major parties have distinct geographic constituencies, but tend not to be divided along ethnic lines. Another key issue is the impact of the large natural resources contracts entered into by the Government of Sierra Leone and management of the resulting revenues, given the role that natural resources played in Sierra Leone’s war. A procedural issue continues to be the appropriate format for involving Chairs of the PBC configurations. top • full forecast Underlying Issues There is significant youth unemployment, which is exacerbated by a large “lost generation” who received no education or opportunities during the war. There are concerns over the high level of corruption in Sierra Leone and the particular risks for this in the resource sector. Options In discussions the Council members could: • seek briefings on the helpful role that could be played on natural resources issues (especially given the language on this in its recent presidential statement on the interdependence between security and development); • agree on elements for the press about the need to dampen down political violence; • ask for updates on cross-regional emerging issues, such as drug trafficking; • indicate current views on progress toward an eventual handover of UNIPSIL to a UN country team; and • decide to include the PBC configuration chair in discussions in an appropriate format. Council Dynamics Council members seem to consider Sierra Leone as a success story, given it has maintained stability whilst graduating from a large peacekeeping operation to a peacebuilding support mission. Most Council members seem to recognise that UNIPSIL is a small mission and its withdrawal should be related to the needs on the ground rather than budgetary pressures. As UNIPSIL is a peacebuilding support mission, many on the Council attach strong weight to the advisory role of the PBC with regard to the conduct and outcomes of UNIPSIL. By lifting the sanctions regime in September 2010, the Council was consciously recognising that the threats to Sierra Leone’s security from the conflicts in the 1990s had passed. Most Council members recognise that the current risks to stability—such as tensions around the 2012 elections and the impact of the management of extractive industries—are unrelated to the former conflict. The UK is the lead country in the Council on Sierra Leone. top • full forecast UN Documents Selected Security Council Resolutions • S/RES/1941 (29 September 2010) extended the mandate of UNIPSIL until 15 September 2011. • S/RES/1940 (29 September 2010) lifted the sanctions on Sierra Leone. • S/RES/1829 (4 August 2008) authorised the creation of UNIPSIL to replace UNIOSIL. • S/RES/1688 (16 June 2006) requested the Secretary-General to assist in the transfer of former Liberian President Charles Taylor to the Special Court's special outpost in the Netherlands. Latest Secretary-General's Report • S/2010/471 (17 September 2010) covers the period 1 March 2010 to 31 August 2010. Selected Letters • S/2010/560 (29 October 2010) was a letter from the Secretary-General to the Council on the budget of the SCSL and recommending the remaining costs be covered by assessed contributions. • S/2008/63 (31 January 2008) was from the Secretary-General conveying the completion strategy for UNIOSIL. Other • S/PRST/2011/4 (11 February 2011) was a presidential statement on the interdependence between security and development that highlighted the value of helping governments in post-conflict situations effectively manage their natural resources. • S/PV.6391 (28 September 2010) was the open meeting by the Council on UNIPSIL. Peacebuilding Commission • PBC/4/SLE/3 (1 October 2010) was the review of the outcome of the high-level special session of the PBC on Sierra Leone. • PBC/3/SLE/6 (12 June 2009) was the outcome of the PBC high-level special session on Sierra Leone. • PBC/3/SLE/4 (6 April 2009) was the PBC statement welcoming the joint communiqué between the two leading political parties in Sierra Leone. • PBC/2/SLE/1 (3 December 2007) was the Sierra Leone Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework. • PBC/OC/1/2 (21 June 2006) was a letter from the Council president to the Secretary-General referring Sierra Leone to the PBC. Other Relevant Facts UNIPSIL Executive Representative of the Secretary-General Michael von der Schulenburg (Germany) Size and Composition of Mission Staff strength (as of 31 December 2010): 33 international civilians, 33 local civilians and six UN volunteers Duration 1 October 2008 to present; mandate expires 15 September 2011 Chair of the Sierra Leone Configuration of the PBC John McNee (Canada)