Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone: UNAMSIL hits the home straight

UNAMSIL is now well up to its authorised strength of 17.500, and is better led and equipped that at any time since its inception. Disarmament is complete, and the war in Sierra Leone has officially been declared over. This monograph highlights the remarkable turn-around in the fortunes of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone during the latter half of 2001. It is prefaced by a brief analysis of earlier phases of the peace process and other key external actors that have impacted upon the (mis)fortunes of Sierra Leone. However, the main focus is on the current state of the peace process, with specific emphasis on the role of UNAMSIL in support of the Abuja II Agreement, and on its progress in reaching the electoral benchmarks set by the Secretary-General. While emphasising the political-military process that is geared towards taking the people of Sierra Leone to the polls in May 2002, the report inevitably touches on a number of interrelated but thorny issues-such as the diamond trade and the issue of impunity versus justice.