Sierra Leone

On 29 September 2010, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 1940 (2010) in which it decided to terminate, with immediate effect, sanctions measures imposed on Sierra Leone. The UNSC further decided in resolution 1940 (2010) to dissolve the Sierra Leone Sanctions Committee established by paragraph 10 of resolution 1132 (1997), also with immediate effect.

The sanctions were first imposed on 8 October 1997 in resolution 1132 (1997) in response to the violence and loss of life in Sierra Leone following the military coup of 25 May 1997, the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in that country, and the consequences for neighbouring countries.

The decisions to terminate the sanctions regime and dissolve the Committee reflect the UNSC’s view that the control of the Government of Sierra Leone has been fully re-established over all its territory and that all non-governmental forces have been disarmed and demobilised.

As a consequence of the decisions in resolution 1940 (2010) and pursuant to section 8 of the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945, the Charter of the United Nations (Sanctions – Sierra Leone) Regulations 2008 cease to have legal effect for all activities from this date onward.

The Australian measures that previously gave effect to the sanctions are set out below.