Annan appeals to world community

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council (SC) on Thursday to ensure the security of Sierra Leoneans, a UN news release said.

“It is vital that the world should not now abandon the people of Sierra Leone in their hour of greatest need,” Annan told UN member states. “They were entitled to expect not only humanitarian assistance, but also protection.”

He reminded the SC that UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) was a peacekeeping force and was not designed or equipped for an enforcement operation. As a result of recent attacks by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels on UN forces “the troops must be consolidated and reinforced so they can defend themselves and their mandate effectively,” Annan said.

He said the willingness of subregional leaders to contribute more troops which could form the nucleus of a rapid reaction force was encouraging, and that this would be the best way to provide UNAMSIL with needed combat capability.

Though nopt opposed to the call by West African leaders for an enforcement mandate for UNAMSIL, he said the priority must be to ensure the current peacekeeping mission receive more resources and equipment.

Annan demanded the unconditional release of all UN personnel, warning that Foday Sankoh, the leader of the RUF, would be held accountable for the rebels’ actions and the well-being of those detained.