Summary
Sanctions remained unchanged, but a large 6000 troop UN peacekeeping operation (UNAMSIL) was authorized (UNSCR 1270, 22 October 1999) and doubled in size to more than 13,000 during the episode (UNSCR 1299, 19 May 2000), changing significantly the relationship between sender and target (the RUF); much greater focus on RUF as target from this point onward; 800 British paratroopers sent to Freetown to evacuate British nationals and secure the airport for the UN (8-10 May 2000).
Purposes
Coerce
Coerce rebel factions to cease hostilities.
Constrain
Constrain the rebels from challenging the government (in support of the implementation of the Lomé agreement).
Signal
Signal the RUF and remnants of the AFRC to cease hostilities (particularly hostage taking of UNOMIL observers and attacks on ECOMOG forces).
Sanctions type
Mandatory
Ongoing arms imports embargo on non-governmental entities and travel ban on leading members of former military junta (AFRC) and the RUF.
Designations
No individual targets specified.
Potential scope
Potential scope of impact
UN sanctions can have some non-discriminating impact on the general population, since they include arms embargoes, diplomatic sanctions, and/or restrictions on the conduct of particular activities or the export of specific commodities.
Implementation
Sanctions Committee in place, no sanctions monitoring mechanism. Designation criteria were specified and targets designated. Enforcement authorities specified, PKO had enforcement role.
Effectiveness
Coercion
Policy outcome
Significant increase in armed violence by RUF during this episode, abduction of UN troops, war between UNAMIL and RUF intensified, RUF closed in on Freetown May 2000), British intervened (8-10 May 2000).
Sanctions contribution
Sanctions remained unchanged and major increase in external military intervention by UNAMSIL (February 2000) and later by the UK (May 2000).
Constraint
Policy outcome
RUF was not significantly constrained until major UN and UK forces arrive in 2000.
Sanctions contribution
Sanctions remained unchanged and major increase in external military intervention.
Signaling
Policy outcome
Diffuse norms (protection of civilians, human rights, HIV/AIDS, attacks on UN personnel), still trying to reinforce Lomé agreement, while doubling the number of UNAMSIL forces.
Sanctions contribution
Sanctions remained unchanged and major increase in external military intervention.
Overall
Unintended consequences
Increase in corruption and/or criminality, increase in human rights violations, humanitarian consequences.
UN sanctions resolutions guide
Substantive
- Authorizes UNAMSIL to ensure its security and freedom of movement and protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.
Procedural
- Establishes UNAMSIL (6 months) and specifies its mandate and troop levels, further specifying that UNAMSIL will take over from UNOMSIL whose mandate shall thus terminate [not under Chapter VII].
Procedural
- Extends and modifies UNAMSIL mandate (6 months), increasing its troop levels.
Substantive
- Adds UNSCR 1171 arms imports embargo exemption for MS cooperating with UNAMSIL and Government of Sierra Leone.
