2005
Security Council Resolution 1643 (December 15, 2005)
The Security Council again threatened sanctions against individuals suspected to violate the arms embargo or to impede the peace process in Ivory Coast. Under France's leadership, the Security Council acknowledged the role of diamonds in fuelling the conflict and broadened the arms embargo to include a ban on diamond exports from Ivory Coast. Security Council members suspect that the rebel group New Forces purchases arms with revenue from illicit diamond sales.
Report of the Panel of Experts on Cote d'Ivoire (November 7, 2005)
The Panel of Experts assesses the role of natural resources, such as cotton, diamonds, and cocoa in fuelling the conflict in Ivory Coast and the effectiveness of the arms embargo. The panel is especially concerned that the illicit trade of diamonds provides an important income to the rebel group New Forces. The report calls on the UN peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast and the Kimberley Process Secretariat to evaluate the volume of illicit diamond exports. The group also recommends that the Security Council ask the rebel group to provide an inventory of the weapons in its possession and the Ivorian government to submit a breakdown of its defense expenditures.
2002
Report by UN Expert Panel on Liberia (April 19, 2002)
A comprehensive UN report on Liberia's continuing violation of the arms embargo. The report investigates the Liberian government's compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1343 of March 2001 under which sanctions were imposed on Monrovia for its links with the former rebel Revolutionary United Front in neighboring Sierra Leone.
UN General Assembly Resolution 56/263 (February 6, 2002)
The United Nations General Assembly welcomed the certification scheme developed by the Kimberley Process.
2001
Addendum to the Report of the UN Panel on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (November 13, 2001)
This report describes how a number of neighboring countries are perpetuating the war in the DRC by illegally exploiting its natural resources. It calls for a moratorium on third-country exports of Congolese minerals, and suggests the possibility of future sanctions.
Report of the Panel of Experts pursuant to Security Council resolution 1343 (2001), paragraph 19, concerning Liberia (October 26, 2001)
This "name and shame" report reveals ongoing arms trafficking and sanctions violations in Liberia, and recommends additional sanctions on its "flag of convenience" shipping register and certain types of logging.
Supplementary Report of the Monitoring Mechanism on Sanctions against UNITA (October 12, 2001)
This report discusses the limits of the current diamond sanctions against UNITA. It recommends that the UN establish a permanent mechanism to ensure ongoing monitoring of targeted sanctions regimes and illicit trafficking in high-value commodities in armed conflicts.
Report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 12, 2001)
The report investigates the illegal exploitation of diamonds, cobalt, coltan, gold and other lucrative resources in the DRC. It recommends to the Security Council a temporary embargo on natural resources imported and exported from Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.
Resolution 1343 Imposing Sanctions Against Liberia (March 7, 2001)
Here is an unofficial version of the UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Liberia to condemn its support to the RUF in Sierra Leone. The resolution will come into effect on May 7, if Liberia does not fulfill its requirements.
General Assembly Resolution on the Role of Diamonds in Fuelling Conflict (January 29, 2001)
Breaking the link between the illicit trade of rough diamonds and armed conflict as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts.
2000
Final Report of the Monitoring Mechanism on Angola Sanctions (December 21, 2000)
An extremely detailed UN report on the violation of sanctions against Unita.
UN Expert Panel Report on Sierra Leone (December 20, 2000)
After a delay caused by infighting among the permanent members of the Security Council, the official Sierra Leone report is here.
Press Briefing By Chairman, Sierra Leone Sanctions Committee (August 1, 2000)
The Sierra Leone government's proposal for a diamond certification regime, the appointment of an expert panel, and the diamond industry's nine-point proposals are some of the hallmarks of the public hearings on "conflict diamonds," says the Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN. (UN Press Briefing)
Security Council Decides to Impose Prohibition on Imports of Rough Diamonds from Sierra Leone (July 5, 2000)
The press release (UN SC/6886) and UN Security Council Resolution 1306, which officially bans trading of diamonds from Sierra Leone.
Security Council Requests Establishment of Expert Panel To Investigate Illegal Exploitation of Resources In Democratic Republic of Congo (June 2, 2000)
The UN Security Council requested the establishment of an expert panel to investigate the link between conflicts and exploitation of the natural resources, such as diamonds, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Press Release SC/6871 )
UN Panel of Experts on Angola Sanctions: Fact Sheet
Text prepared by the UN containing information on the background, mandate, operation and composition of the panel.
UN Resolution Calls for Enforcement of Angola Sanctions (April 18, 2000)
In this resolution (S/RES/1295), the Security Council calls for states and organizations to take action against arms, petroleum, and diamond trade with UNITA and to put into effect financial and travel restrictions against the rebel group.
The "Fowler Report" S/2000/203 (March 10, 2000)
Final Report of the UN Panel of Experts on Violations of Security Council Sanctions Against Unita. This extensive report examines the partial failure of sanctions on the Angolan rebel group.
