United Nations Security Council Resolution 1170
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1170, adopted unanimously on May 27, 1998, after considering the situation across the Africa
n continent, the Council decided to establish an ad hoc Working Group to review the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
's recommendations concerning the maintenance of international peace and security in Africa.
, economic, humanitarian
, peacekeeping
and other activities, and reaffirmed the obligation of all Member States to settle disputes in a peaceful manner. It was mindful of the 1993 Cairo Declaration which stipulated that the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) would anticipate and prevent conflicts as a primary objective and the African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty
which was an important contribution to regional peace and security.
The Council was concerned at the continuation of armed conflicts in Africa which had led to mass displacement, poverty
, instability and suffering. There were destabilising effects of illegal arms transfers, armed militia
s and the use of mercenaries
across the continent. It was noted that African countries had made progress towards economic reform and democratisation
with respect for human rights
. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
were ready to assist in humanitarian and refugee
crises in accordance with international law
and international humanitarian law
.
, refugees, structural adjustment, development assistance and debt and trade. He also emphasised the responsibility of African leaders in regional conflicts and economic failures, and the dangers of foreign intervention. The resolution stressed that challenges in Africa demanded a comprehensive response and that all United Nations agencies, international organisations and all countries would consider the recommendations in the report.
A Working Group consisting of all members of the Council was then established for a period of six months to review the recommendations in the report and consider ways of implementing them and submit proposals for consideration in September 1998 when a ministerial level meeting would be convened. The Council stressed the need for close co-operation between it and the OAU and commended the efforts of the OAU in conflict prevention. At the same time, contributions from Member States, regional organisations and United Nations agencies towards peacekeeping operations in Africa were welcomed.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1170, adopted unanimously on May 27, 1998, after considering the situation across the Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n continent, the Council decided to establish an ad hoc Working Group to review the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
's recommendations concerning the maintenance of international peace and security in Africa.
Observations
In the preamble of Resolution 1170, the Security Council supported the engagement of the United Nations in Africa through diplomaticDiplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
, economic, humanitarian
Humanitarianism
In its most general form, humanitarianism is an ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended universally and impartially to all human beings. Humanitarianism has been an evolving concept historically but universality is a common element in its evolution...
, peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
and other activities, and reaffirmed the obligation of all Member States to settle disputes in a peaceful manner. It was mindful of the 1993 Cairo Declaration which stipulated that the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) would anticipate and prevent conflicts as a primary objective and the African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty
African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty
The African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Pelindaba, establishes a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Africa.The treaty was signed in 1996 and came into effect with the 28th ratification on 15 July 2009.-Treaty Outline:...
which was an important contribution to regional peace and security.
The Council was concerned at the continuation of armed conflicts in Africa which had led to mass displacement, poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, instability and suffering. There were destabilising effects of illegal arms transfers, armed militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
s and the use of mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
across the continent. It was noted that African countries had made progress towards economic reform and democratisation
Democratization
Democratization is the transition to a more democratic political regime. It may be the transition from an authoritarian regime to a full democracy, a transition from an authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy or transition from a semi-authoritarian political system to a democratic...
with respect for human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , is a United Nations body formed in December 1991 by General Assembly Resolution 46/182...
and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , also known as The UN Refugee Agency is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees at the request of a government or the UN itself and assists in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to...
were ready to assist in humanitarian and refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
crises in accordance with international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
and international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
.
Acts
The Security Council welcomed the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Africa, which detailed the sources of conflict on the continent and ways to address it. Kofi Annan had made recommendations concerning arms trafficking, sanctionsInternational sanctions
International sanctions are actions taken by countries against others for political reasons, either unilaterally or multilaterally.There are several types of sanctions....
, refugees, structural adjustment, development assistance and debt and trade. He also emphasised the responsibility of African leaders in regional conflicts and economic failures, and the dangers of foreign intervention. The resolution stressed that challenges in Africa demanded a comprehensive response and that all United Nations agencies, international organisations and all countries would consider the recommendations in the report.
A Working Group consisting of all members of the Council was then established for a period of six months to review the recommendations in the report and consider ways of implementing them and submit proposals for consideration in September 1998 when a ministerial level meeting would be convened. The Council stressed the need for close co-operation between it and the OAU and commended the efforts of the OAU in conflict prevention. At the same time, contributions from Member States, regional organisations and United Nations agencies towards peacekeeping operations in Africa were welcomed.
See also
- Human rights in AfricaHuman rights in AfricaHuman rights as a legal concept is a relatively recent notion in Africa. The United Nations System, international law and the African Union have certainly all contributed to the establishment of a human rights system in Africa, which has positively and indispensably influenced the advancement of...
- List of conflicts in Africa
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1101 to 1200 (1997 – 1998)