Regional Peacekeeping Force – 2000
2000
On January 13, 2000, the Foreign Secretary of Nigeria wrote a letter to the Secretary General of the UN offering to suspend the withdrawal of Nigerian troops that were part of ECOMOG for 90 days. To prevent a potential security vacuum, however, it was agreed that two Nigerian infantry battalions and one tank company would be incorporated for 90 days (S/2000/186, March 7, 2000).
ECOWAS played an important role facilitating the peace process, especially related to security issues.
On May 9, 2000, ECOWAS leaders agreed to consider re-deploying the West African Intervention Force, (ECOMOG), to Sierra Leone. “They also nominated Liberian President, Charles Taylor, to negotiate the release of hundreds of UN peacekeepers held hostage in Sierra Leone. The leaders warned in a statement that they would use military force to stop any attempt to grab power undemocratically in Sierra Leone.”1 On May 12, 2000, the Organization of African Union supported the ECOWAS resolution on Sierra Leone.2
In May 2000, ECOWAS leaders endorsed the deployment of 3,000 additional troops to Sierra Leone to help shore up the faltering peace process. The deployment was intended to reinforce the 11,000 UNAMSIL troops supervising the DDR process under the Lomé agreement.3
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire between the RUF and the Sierra Leone Government were not effective due to Liberian support to the RUF. In order to protect the border areas, ECOWAS deployed an interposition force of 1,796 troops. The troops were situated along the Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea borders. “The proposed mandate of the force would include monitoring the border areas; neutralizing irregular armed groups; facilitating the movement of persons, goods and services; ensuring the security of refugees and displace persons; and creating a conducive environment for humanitarian assistance” (S/2001/228, March 14, 2001, page 4). ECOWAS continuously tried to revamp the role of UNAMSIL.