Summary
Armed conflict was officially declared over (January 2002), Kabbah won landslide election (May 2002), British forces left (July 2002) and sanctions remained in place to support a larger peacebuilding process. Sierra Leone became one of the first two countries (along with Burundi) officially taken up by the UN's Peacebuilding Architecture. Sanctions gradually phased out (diamond sanctions lapsed in 5 June 2003), as peacebuilding activities (DDR, SSR, reconciliation) became more prominent.
Purposes
Coerce
Support peacebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone; draw down PKO, convert PKO to support DDR, and establish a Peacebuilding office; coerce/induce rebel factions to participate in peace-building process.
Constrain
Constrain potential spoilers.
Signal
Signal rebel factions and to the international community, the utility of peace building support activities of the UNPBC.
Sanctions type
Mandatory
Ongoing travel ban, arms imports embargo on non-governmental entities, and ban on export of rough diamonds (not certified by Kimberley Process).
Diamond exports ban lapsed in June 2003, all other sanctions were terminated in September 2010.
Designations
Maximum number of designees during the episode: 57 individuals.
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
Diamond exports ban sanctions were renewed for a limited time period (6 months), travel ban and arms imports embargo in place indefinitely. Sanctions Committee in place, no sanctions monitoring mechanism (mandate of Panel of Experts not renewed). Designation criteria were specified and targets designated. Enforcement authorities specified, PKO had enforcement role.
Effectiveness
Coercion
Policy outcome
N/A.
Sanctions contribution
N/A.
Constraint
Policy outcome
Potential spoilers were constrained; substantial DDR as early as February 2004, local elections took place, war crimes trials began, peacekeepers departed, peaceful transition from Kabbah regime to opposition party..
Sanctions contribution
Sanctions supported complementary peacebuilding activities.
Signaling
Policy outcome
Potential spoilers were deterred from destabilizing the regime, PBC credited with some success.
Sanctions contribution
Sanctions combined with rulings of the special court to stigmatize former RUF leaders.
Overall
Unintended consequences
Increase in the growth of the state role in the economy.
UN sanctions resolutions guide
Substantive
- Welcomes official completion of the disarmament process.
Procedural
- Modifies UNAMSIL mandate and increases its personnel.
Substantive
- Renews UNSCR 1306 diamond exports ban (6 months) and affirms exemption for diamonds controlled by Government of Sierra Leone under Certificate of Origin regime.
Procedural
- Sets sanctions review (6 months).
Substantive
- Sets objectives for Sierra Leone.
Procedural
- Extends and modifies UNAMSIL mandate (until 30.06.2005), authorizing it to use all means necessary to carry out its mandate.
Substantive
- Decides Government of the Netherlands shall facilitate implementation of decision of the Special Court to conduct trial of former President Taylor in the Netherlands and the Court shall retain exclusive jurisdiction over him during his transfer to and presence in the Netherlands.
- Adds UNSCR 1521 (Liberia sanction regime) travel ban exemption for trial-related travel of former President Taylor and any required witnesses.
Procedural
- Extends and modifies UNMIL mandate (until 30.09.2007) to include support and security for activities conducted in Liberia by Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Substantive
- Adds UNSCR 1171 travel ban exemption for trial-related travel of any required witnesses.
Substantive
- Terminates UNSCR 1171 travel ban, arms imports embargo and related marking, registering, and notification obligations.
Procedural
- Dissolves Sanctions Committee.
