SANCTIONS AGAINST THE MILITARY JUNTA IN SIERRA LEONE

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs

MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE MILITARY JUNTA IN SIERRA LEONE

South Africa reiterates its commitment to sanctions against the military junta in Sierra Leone and calls for the early restoration of of the duly elected government.

On 8 October 1997, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1132 calling for the imposition of an oil and arms embargo as well as travel sanctions against the military junta in Sierra Leone. These measures were adopted after a democratically-elected government was deposed by military coup d'etat in May 1997.

As the sanctions adopted by the Security Council are of a mandatory nature, South Africa has an international legal obligation to ensure their strict implementation. The sanctions are an illustration of the commitment of international community to the democratic gains made on the African continent in the last decade.

The relevant Government Departments have already been requested to assist in the implementation of the sanctions. In this regard, the relevant Departments will soon publish notices in the Government Gazette giving effect to the sanctions under South African law. Furthermore, South Africa's Missions abroad have already been instructed to refuse visas or entry permits to members of the military junta.

The South African Government would like to reiterate that South Africa expects the AFRC junta in Sierra Leone to carry out its undertakings in terms of the agreements reached with the ECOWAS Committee of Five in Conakry late last year. South Africa joins with the rest of the international community in calling fro the restoration of the duly elected government of President Tejan Kabbah in Sierra Leone. This step will also contribute to ending the suffering of the people of Sierra Leone.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 29 JANUARY 1998