S/RES/1470 (2003)
Security Council Distr.: General
28 March 2003
03-30173 (E)
*0330173*
Resolution 1470 (2003)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4729th meeting, on
28 March 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, political
independence and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone,
Expressing its concern at the continuing fragile security situation in the Mano
River region, particularly the conflict in Liberia and its consequences for
neighbouring 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, and
recognizing the need to strengthen further the capacity, and to mobilize the
resources, of the Sierra Leone Police and armed forces to enable them to maintain
security and stability independently,
Noting certain recent challenges to security described in paragraphs 2 to 9 of
the 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 excombatants,
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,
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Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 17 March 2003
(S/2003/321),
1. Decides that the mandate of UNAMSIL shall be extended for a period of
six 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 have
made commitments to do so;
3. Commends UNAMSIL for the progress made in the adjustments to its
size, composition and deployment, as outlined in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the
Secretary-General’s report of 17 March 2003 (S/2003/321), achieved while
continuing to support the Sierra Leonean security forces in maintaining internal
security and protecting Sierra Leone’s territorial integrity;
4. Urges UNAMSIL, guided by an evaluation of the security situation and
the 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’s
plan 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 the
Government of Sierra Leone, particularly and effective and sustainable police force,
army, penal system and independent judiciary, is essential to long-term peace and
development, and urges the Government of Sierra Leone, with the assistance of
donors and UNAMSIL, in accordance with its mandate, to accelerate the
consolidation of civil authority and public services throughout the country, and to
strengthen 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 and
control of diamond mining activities, and encourages the Government of Sierra
Leone 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;
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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, as
requested in the Secretary-General’s letter of 18 March 2003, appeals to existing
donors to disburse their pledges rapidly, and urges all States to cooperate fully with
the Court;
12. Welcomes the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and
progress 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 and
security, encourages the Economic Community of West African States and Morocco
to continue their efforts towards a settlement of the crisis in the Mano River Union
region, and expresses its support for the efforts of the International Contact Group
on Liberia towards a resolution of the conflict in that country;
14. Notes with concern the recent instability on the border between Sierra
Leone 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 embargo
on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Liberia, and encourages the
Sierra Leonean armed forces, together with UNAMSIL, to maintain intensive
patrolling of the border with Liberia;
15. Encourages the Government of Sierra Leone to pay special attention to
the needs of women and children affected by the war, bearing in mind paragraph 42
of 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.