CM/RES.1651 (LXIV)
Page 1
RESOLUTION ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SIERRA LEONE
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Sixty-Fourth Ordinary Session in Yaounde, Cameroon from 1 to 5 July, 1996,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the Situation in Sierra Leone as contained in Document CM/1945 (LXIV),
Having heard the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the Situation in Sierra Leone.
Welcoming the results of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections of 26 – 27 February and 15th March, 1996, respectively, which facilitated the restoration of a multi-party system of Government in Sierra Leone.
Noting with Satisfaction the decision of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone to engage in a peace dialogue with the Revolutionary United Front, with a view to ending the rebel war in Sierra Leone which has caused untold damage to life and property in the country,
Recognizing the sustained and tireless efforts of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the RUF to move the peace talks forward by meeting at the highest level in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, in Februa ry and March 1996 with a view to ending the five-year old fratricidal conflict in Sierra Leone.
Appreciating the very crucial role that His Excellency Mr. Henri Konan Bedie, President
of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire has continued to play in facilitating the holding of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the RUF in Abidjan and Yamoussoukro, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, since February, 1996,
Expressing appreciation for the sustained concern and interest of the Leaders of the west African Sub-region, in particular, His Excellency President Lansana Conte, President of the Republic of Guinea, His Excellence General Sani Abacha, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Fl, Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, President of the Republic of Ghana and Current Chairman of ECOWAS,
Taking due note of the immense contribution the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and the Economic Community of West African Sates are making in the search for peace in the Republic of Sierra Leone:
CONGRATULATES the Government and People of Sierra Leone for the successful conduct of elections and the re-establishment of a multi-party Parliamentary system of Government with His Excellency Alhaji Ahmad Tijan Kabbah as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone;
COMMENDS OAU, the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and the International Community as a whole for supporting the democratization process in the Republic of Sierra Leone to a successful conclusion;
URGES the Revolutionary Untied Front and its Leadership to recognize the democratically elected Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and URGES both parties to cooperate fully, in concluding without further delay a peace agreement that will lead to the restoration of durable peace and stability in the country;
URGES both the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the RUF to
continue to respect the existing ceasefire until the conclusion of a peace agreement;
APPEALS to the Member States of the Organization of African Unity to impress upon both the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the RUF the urgency of concluding a peace agreement in order to put an end to the loss of innocent lives and the havoc being caused to the infrastructure and the socio-economic fabric of Sierra Leone.
APPEALS to the International Community to continue to support the peace talks between the Government and the RUF in any way possible with a view to bringing about their early successful conclusion.
FURTHER APPEALS to the donor community, in general, the UN and the Commonwealth in particular, to support the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone in terms of humanitarian relief post-war rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to remain seized of this matter and to periodically report on progress thereon to the Central Organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution and to use his good offices to solicit humanitarian assistance to the many refugees and displaced people in camps in Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries.