PRESENTATION BY THE REVOLUTIONARY UNITED FRONT PARTY TO THE SECOND MEETING OF THE JOINT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE OF THE LOME PEACE AGREEMENT FREETOWN
24th JANUARY, 2000
The Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone (now transformed into a Political Party named the Revolutionary United Front Party) is thankful for this Meeting of the Joint Implementation Committee. Points raised in the RUFP Position Paper of 27th December, 1999 however, still remain to be implemented within the spirit of Lome and the letter of the Peace Agreement.
The candid opinion of the RUFP is that cosmetic efforts are been made and no genuine committed moves have so far been implemented. These efforts reflect gross insincerity and disloyalty to the People of Sierra Leone and to the basic problems which are peculiar to Sierra Leone. Negative Propaganda which in turn is a means of sensitising the International Community and the nation as a whole is causing wrong implementation of the Lome Peace Agreement.
The future of every Sierra Leonean is our main concern and this document is not meant to justify the RUFP position or to selfishly seek the RUFP’s interests, but this document is written for every Sierra Leonean to enjoy the fruits, which should come from the correct, practical and positive implementation of the Lome Peace Agreement. This document, along with the RUFP Position Paper of 27th December, 1999 should not be viewed as a threat. The RUFP is simply requesting that the issues concerned in these two documents be addressed immediately, as they are of deep concern to the combatants who do not wish to become victims of the peace process.
The RUFP also brings to attention the fact that the Lome Peace Agreement, being an International Document supercedes the authority of the Constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The Lome Peace Agreement was signed for ensuring that the ultimate aim of real and lasting peace for all Sierra Leoneans and the land as a whole is truly realised.
The Revolutionary United Front Party, mindful of the Lome Peace Agreement and its subsequent practical and positive implementation, therefore submits the following violations within the said Agreement to the Second Meeting of the Joint Implementation Committee:
1. PART ONE, ARTICLE II – CEASE-FIRE MONITORING
The Revolutionary United Front Party remains deeply concerned about the practical and correct structures being set up for the positive operation of the Ceasefire Monitoring Representatives of all the parties concerned. So far, the RUFP representatives to this Committee have been bounced around from the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (NCDDR) and the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). These two Departments disclaim responsibility for their welfare on various fronts causing uncertainty and burden on the RUFP.
So far, only fourteen (14) RUFP representatives to these Committees have been paid their monthly remuneration (Food and Lodging). Nine (9) of these fourteen (14) are already stationed in their areas of assignment. Three (3) of the RUFP representatives to these Committees are stationed in their assigned areas, but they have yet to receive their monthly remuneration. The remaining five (5) RUFP representatives that have received their monthly remuneration have not yet been stationed in their areas of assignment. There are a further fifteen (15) RUFP representatives to be paid and stationed in their assigned locations.
There are still ceasefire violations reported which are not monitored, verified and reported by the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee Personnel. The RUFP still reaffirms that it will only receive ceasefire violations from a Ceasefire Monitoring Committee comprising of the United Nations, Representatives of the Government of Sierra Leone, RUFP, CDF and ECOMOG established at provincial and district levels who monitor, verify and report all such violations of ceasefire.
The RUFP Representatives to this Committee would like to report that they have been denied accommodation, means of transportation on permanent official basis to co-ordinate CMC/JMC daily activities, in order to travel and verify these reports and communication equipment which should enhance effective performance. On another front, the JMC are only accorded mobility assistance by UNAMSIL on JMC Meeting Days.
2. ARTICLE III - TRANSFORMATION OF THE RUF/SL INTO A POLITICAL PARTY
The Revolutionary United Front Party has duly registered and received its Provisional Certificate from the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, the RUFP still draws attention to the fact that it has so far not received support with regards Article III, 4(i)-(ii) on both fronts.
Also worthy of note under this Article is that the RUFP has not been granted freedom of Association in line with the spirit and letter of the Agreement. A case in point is the molestation and intense harassment of the Interim Chairman, Interim Secretary and other members of the Revolutionary United Front Party of Bo by the CDF in Bo. This issue is a burning one and has given great cause for concern to all members of the RUFP.
3. ARTICLE IV – ENABLING MEMBERS OF THE RUF/SL TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE
The delaying tactics being employed by the Government of Sierra Leone to appoint RUFP nominees into "positions of parastatals, diplomacy and any other public sector" shows gross insincerity to those Sierra Leonean Citizens who are entitled to this benefit under the spirit and terms of the Lome Peace Agreement. In a Meeting between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front Party on 2nd January, 2000, confessions were made by the Government that, indeed, appointments have been made to several positions of Government without consulting the RUFP. Apologies were tendered and request was made for understanding on the part of the RUFP to these appointments.
The RUFP is still waiting on the Government of Sierra Leone to show that as they have now apologised, they will grant redress to the RUFP by appointing the nominees from the RUFP into the various areas highlighted above.
Legal impediments still exist in the form of the Travelling Ban placed on all RUF/SL/AFRC personnel for which the RUFP is now calling for a total and permanent lifting of.
4. ARTICLE VI – COMMISSION FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF PEACE
This Commission remains in a stagnant position which does not at all augur well for the implementation of the Agreement. The non-functioning of the Commission for the Consolidation of Peace (CCP) still remains of great concern to the RUFP. The RUFP speedily awaits the immediate and effective operation of the CCP and its attendant Commissions and Committees in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Lome Peace Agreement. Appointments made to the various Commissions and Committees under the CCP are highly suspect and show no true sign of fair-play and commitment to the Lome Peace Agreement.
Ever since the letters of appointment given to the various Members to this Commission on 15th November, 1999, no positive action has been taken for a venue and facilities for the Commission, neither has any remuneration been received. They have also so far not held any constructive meeting of the CCP.
Please note the attached letter to this document from all the CCP Commissioners to the CCP Chairman dated 22nd December, 1999.
5. ARTICLE VII – COMMISSION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF STRATEGIC RESOURCES, NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Office space has now been identified at No.43 Liverpool Street for the Office of the Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and Development and ever since January 4th, 2000 when Chairman Foday Sankoh gave his approval to the address above, the Commission is yet to be operational in accordance with the terms of the Lome Peace Agreement. Meanwhile this Commission still remains dormant and unformed after six months of the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement.
6. ARTICLE VIII - COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS
The RUFP representative to this Council is awaiting its formation according to the spirit and letter of the Lome Peace Agreement, in order to actively participate in its operations.
7. ARTICLE XII - NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The RUFP notes the apology by the Government of Sierra Leone that it has already appointed regional Commissioners to the National Electoral Commission and has already lined up a Candidate for the Chairmanship without consulting the RUFP and the other sixteen (16) Registered Political Parties. The RUFP further wishes to raise the issue of training for RUFP nominees as Elections Officers.
8. ARTICLE XIV – NEW MANDATE OF UNOMSIL
The RUFP still sincerely believes and knows that the change of Mandate from UNOMSIL to UNAMSIL is threatening. The change of Mandate from UNOMSIL to UNAMSIL is also seen as neutralising the role and efforts of ECOMOG made towards the peace process in Sierra Leone.
The United Nations has so far proved a lack of neutrality in their effort geared towards peacekeeping. A case in point is the huge amount of tanks and armament being brought in by the Guinean contingent to UNAMSIL which is viewed as a threat to the peace. The RUFP does not believe that keeping the peace means further arms and ammunition been brought in when the main thrust of everything done in Sierra Leone towards the successful implementation of the Lome Peace Agreement is geared towards disarmament with less arms and ammunition within the borders of Sierra Leone.
The RUFP also notes with concern that decisions made at the United Nations Security Council relating to Sierra Leone are not communicated to the RUFP, thus causing marginalisation of the role of the RUFP in the Sierra Leone peace process.
The RUFP would like to point out that United Nations Security Council Resolution 1270 is, to a large extent, not in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone.
9. ARTICLE XVI – ENCAMPMENT, DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION
The RUFP is gravely concerned over the recent recruitment and training of six thousand and fifty nine (6,059) SLA soldiers and officers.
According to the Lome Peace Agreement, it was stipulated that the composition and size of the new Sierra Leone Army should be determined by both parties, thereby making inputs according to the geo-political structure of Sierra Leone.
The RUFP notes with serious concern the emphatic thrust being made towards only RUFP personnel disarming which is totally against this Article under review. Attention is drawn in this instance to ARTICLE XVI, No.2 which states that "The present SLA shall be restricted to the barracks and their arms in the armoury and their ammunitions in the magazines and placed under constant surveillance by the neutral peacekeeping force during the process of disarmament and demobilisation." The RUFP is calling for an immediate invocation of this Article NOW.
It is also noted that Freetown has not yet been disarmed. The reason for this notation is the fact that ECOMOG, Ex-SLA and the new SLA, the CDF at Brookfields Hotel are all fully armed and roaming the streets of Freetown. The RUFP is calling for an immediate disarmament of all factions all over the country. The disarmament should be simultaneously conducted with all fighting factions actively engaged.
The DDR Camps are very poorly catered for socially, physically and psychologically. The structures which should encourage proper disarmament are not in place and a clarion call is now being made from the RUFP for these structures to be put in place at once.
A point of note is that during the DDR Programme on the local radio station on Wednesday 19th January, 2000 at 5:45p.m., the CDF categorically stated that they will not disarm.
In light of the way and manner in which the DDR issue is being cosmetically treated, gives preference to the belief that there is a potential threat to the stability of the peace process.
10. ARTICLE XVIII - WITHDRAWAL OF MERCENARIES
The RUFP is still insisting that "All mercenaries, in any guise, ….." be withdrawn with immediate effect from Sierra Leone.
11. ARTICLE XXIII – GUARANTEE OF THE SECURITY OF DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES
New incidents of violations of the Human Rights of Displaced Persons and their lack of security is highlighted in the case of the incident at the National Workshop Displaced Camp during the second week in January, 2000 when a Mr. Sesay, also an inmate at the Camp went and laid allegation at the Harbour Police Station, Queen Elizabeth Quay, Cline Town, that some other Displaced Persons who identified themselves as being members of the Revolutionary United Front Party were rebels. This led to these RUFP members being beaten up by the Policemen and they ended up receiving no food supply. This incident is a violation of firstly ARTICLE III, No. 2 which states that "Immediately upon the signing of the present Agreement, the RUF/SL shall commence to organise itself to function as a political movement, with the rights, privileges and duties accorded to all political parties in Sierra Leone. These include the freedom to publish ….. freedom of association, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and the right to mobilise and associate freely." Secondly, the violation of ARTICLE XXIII in addition to this first violation of ARTICLE III, No.2 is seen as gross disrespect for the terms of the Lome Peace Agreement in these instances.
The violations as described in the RUFP Position Paper of 27th December, 1999 also still stand. The RUFP further wishes to quote from a letter sent to the Leader on 31st December, 1999 from the Bailor Barrie Displaced Persons Camp:
"Dear Sir, LETTER OF APPRECIATION
I wish to convey our sincere thanks for your unforgetable assistance rendered to us during the time of urgent need. May God Bless you ….. I wish to educate you that we have been relocated to Grafton Displaced Camp. The problem we are now encountering are: 1, No non-food items supplied to us. 2, Poor medical treatment. 3, Many internally displaced persons in the Camp haven’t got ration supply although they have their ration cards or slips. All these issues are very important and would like you to prevail on NCRRR who promise to supply non-food items on the 15th December, 1999. We haven’t seen any green light to supply us these items. So please assist us. I hereby crave your candid indulgence and co-operation to give this letter’s request the consideration it deserves. We anticipate a favourable response. Masallam. Yours faithfully,
ALUSINE BANGURA
CHAIRMAN"
12. ARTICLE XXIV – GUARANTEE AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Highlighted under this Article is a reinforcement of violations of Article IV, which is the stifling of the Human Rights of RUFP personnel "….. the right to take part in the governance of one’s country."
13. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The Lome Peace Agreement calls for the creation of a Human Rights Commission. So far as we can practically see, taking current constraints into consideration, there is already a National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights (NCDHR). The RUFP is demanding that the NCDHR be urgently restructured to include the terms of the Lome Peace Agreement and that the immediate inclusion of the RUFP representative to this Commission be effected.
14. ARTICLE XXVI – HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
The RUFP still awaits the urgent formation and operation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission "drawn from a cross-section of Sierra Leone society….." in which the RUFP must have representation.
15. ARTICLE XXVII - HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
The RUFP in this instance will like to assure all Humanitarian Organisations that their security and welfare whilst providing Humanitarian Relief to the RUFP is of paramount interest. Attention is drawn here to the Committee for Humanitarian Assistance stated in ARTICLE VI, No.2(v) of the Lome Peace Agreement. The RUFP demands through this medium the immediate setting up of this and all other Committees and Commissions according to the stated terms.
Also worthy of note is the fact that there is yet no RUFP representation on the Triple-R Commission which is still to be created according to the terms of the Lome Peace Agreement. The RUFP is again in this instance, demanding that this Commission be created according to the letter and spirit of the Agreement.
16. ARTICLE XXIX – SPECIAL FUND FOR WAR VICTIMS
The RUFP is again requesting to be represented on this Committee which would be managing these funds for War Victims, as well as calling for a Census to be conducted in RUFP areas as well as District and Provincial Headquarter levels, not excluding the Western Area.
17. ARTICLE XXXI – EDUCATION AND HEALTH
A clear violation is still noted as per our reference on the RUFP Position Paper regarding the violation of this Article of the Lome Peace Agreement.
18. ARTICLE XXXII – JOINT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
We are thankful that the Joint Implementation Committee has now decided to meet. However, the Lome Peace Agreement clearly states that this Committee must meet once every three (3) months. This Committee is the vehicle which has to negotiate the rocky roads in order to gain everlasting peace in Sierra Leone.
The Revolutionary United Front Party would like to reiterate that it remains committed on all fronts in accordance with the laying down of adequate and practical structures in order to ensure that the Lome Peace Agreement is implemented. The RUFP therefore continues to call for the committed, practical and positive participation of all the parties to the Lome Peace Agreement, along with the realistic encouragement of the Moral Guarantors coupled with practical, financial support from the International Supporters. This in the end analysis, would reflect a clear manifestation of implementation of the Lome Peace Agreement.
Chairman Foday Saybana Sankoh
LEADER