United Nations Security Council resolution 1306, adopted on 5 July 2000, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, particularly resolutions 1132 (1997), 1171 (1998) and 1299 (2000), the Council decided to prohibit the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from the country. The rebel Revolutionary United Front controlled 90% of the diamond-producing areas in Sierra Leone and was using diamonds to finance its operations. Resolution 1306 was adopted by 14 votes to none against and one abstention from Mali, which at the time was also the chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and had felt its position was not taken into account in the text of the resolution. Resolution The resolution, enacted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, was divided into two parts to address sanctions on diamonds and the arms embargo on the country (but not the government) referred to in Resolution 1171. On diamonds Observations The illegal diamond trade fueled the conflict in Sierra Leone, and there was concern at their transit to neighbouring countries, particularly Liberia. The Council welcomed efforts by the diamond industry to work on a more transparent system of diamond trading. It reaffirmed that the legitimate diamond trade was of economic importance for many countries that had a positive impact on prosperity and stability. To this end, the resolution was not intended to undermine the industry, the Council declared. ECOWAS had decided to conduct a regional study on illegal trade in diamonds. Acts The council decided to ban the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to their territory for an initial period of 18 months. The Government of Sierra Leone, with assistance from the international community and organisations, was requested to immediately establish a certificate of origin regime. Diamonds under the control of the government were excluded from the prohibitions. The measures would be reviewed by 15 September 2000 and every six months thereafter. The committee established in Resolution 1132 was to gather information on measures taken by countries to implement the diamond import ban, investigation violations and make recommendations on improving the sanctions regime. All countries and organisations were instructed to strictly enforce the measures. It was also requested to co-operate with similar committees established in Resolution 985 (1995) on Liberia and Resolution 864 (1993) on Angola. Meanwhile, the committee was also asked to conduct an exploratory