The Sierra Leone Web

COMMUNIQUE

issued by

the Joint GoSL / RUF / UNAMSIL Committee on

Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration

The Joint Committee on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) comprising representatives of the Government, the RUF and UNAMSIL held its seventh meeting in Freetown on 8 November 2001, under the chairmanship of the Special Representative of the Secretary General to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji. The Government delegation was led by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Hon. Solomon Berewa, and the RUF delegation was headed by Mr. Omrie Golley, Chairman of the RUF Peace Council. The meeting took place in an unprecedented atmosphere of cordiality and constructive dialogue.

The Government and RUF delegations expressed their deep sympathy to UNAMSIL at the loss of life caused by the UNAMSIL helicopter crash, which took place on 7 November. The meeting observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragedy.

1. The parties expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the disarmament process and at the completion of UNAMSIL’s deployment throughout the country. However, concern was expressed that the undertaking made by the leaders of the CDF and RUF to inform their combatants clearly on agreed criteria for disarmament has not fully been discharged. The leaders are urged to take immediate action so as to facilitate the fast disarmament in accordance with para. 3 below.

2. The Joint Committee formally declared Koinadugu and Moyamba Districts disarmed. Disarmament will be declared completed in the Western Area, as well as Bombali and Bo Districts, as of 10 November 2001.

3. The Joint Committee reviewed the progress of the disarmament process and reaffirmed its decision taken at the sixth meeting on the completion in Tonkolili and Pujehun Districts by 14 November. Similarly, disarmament in Kenema and Kailahun Districts will be undertaken between 15 and 30 November 2001.

4. The Joint Committee urged the Government to expedite the deployment of the Sierra Leone Police in all areas where disarmament has been completed.

5. The Joint Committee appealed to the international community to continue to support the DDR programme, and inn particular accelerate the disbursement of pledges already made.

6. After deliberating on the draft Community Arms Collection and Destruction programme presented by the Government, the parties agreed as follows:

• all arms not within the disarmament programme must be collected;
• the programme will be implemented between 15 November and 31 December 2001;
• a wide publicity and sensitisation effort will be undertaken to ensure maximum success.

7. The next meeting of the Joint Committee will be held in Freetown on 13 December 2001.