{"id":29434,"date":"2011-09-13T22:14:29","date_gmt":"2011-09-14T02:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sierraexpressmedia.com\/?p=29434"},"modified":"2011-09-13T22:14:29","modified_gmt":"2011-09-14T02:14:29","slug":"un-security-council-releases-report-on-integrated-peacebuilding-in-sierra-leone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/?p=29434","title":{"rendered":"UN Security Council releases report on Integrated Peacebuilding in Sierra Leone"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York:<\/strong> The Executive Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) today delivered his Seventh Report on the progress of the work\u00a0 in Sierra Leone to the UN Security Council.\u00a0 (Photo:\u00a0 Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Joseph Bandala Dauda<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg told the Security Council that though Sierra Leone remains on track to become a stable democracy with a viable economy, recent violent incidents between rival political groups have highlighted the potential for unrest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel that this is an occasion to commend in this Council the people of Sierra Leone for what has been achieved during the last nine years in consolidating peace and building a democratic society,\u201d said Michael von der Schulenburg, when he presented the UN chief\u2019s latest report on the country to the Council.<\/p>\n

On the recent clashes between supporters of the two main political parties, Mr. Schulenburg, urged Sierra Leonean politicians not to forget what the country has achieved, build on those accomplishments, and conduct their affairs responsibly.<\/p>\n

\u201cElections are still one and a half years away and this must not start to embitter the social and political climate in Sierra Leone,\u201d said Mr. Schulenburg, who is also the head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Sierra Leone Mission to the UN in New York City, USA<\/p><\/div>\n

He called for resolving of outstanding issues ahead of the next year\u2019s general elections, including reaching agreement on the polls\u2019 legal framework and an electoral code of conduct. Mr. Schulenburg voiced support for the idea of an inclusive and non-partisan national conference floated by President Ernest Bai Koroma to discuss the country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

He told the Security Council that Sierra Leone\u2019s economy continues to grow and that the Government was implementing infrastructure projects and pursuing a policy of privatization. Iron mining is expected to generate considerable revenues for the country in the coming years, he said, cautioning that transparent management of new resources could pose challenges.<\/p>\n

Mr Schulenburg also cautioned of widespread poverty, youth unemployment and limited capacity for the delivery of social services, however, continues to put a damper on the country\u2019s development potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cNotwithstanding the creation of the Youth Commission and concerted efforts by development partners, no substantive success has been made in fighting Sierra Leone\u2019s rampant youth unemployment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He called for the better targeting of development programs implemented through better cooperation between the Government, its development partners, and the private sector.<\/p>\n

Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Joseph Bandala Dauda attended the Security Council release of the Report in New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Minister J B Dauda inside Salone Mission to the UN<\/p><\/div>\n

In his statement, he thanked the UN Security Council and friends of Sierra Leone for their \u201crelentless support and active interest in consolidating peace and maximizing our gains in post conflict efforts in Sierra Leone.\u00a0 The Secretary-General\u2019s report accurately catalog the progress made and remaining challenges in our peace efforts and peace consolidation and transition to a more developmental phase.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minister Dauda assured the Council that Sierra Leone government \u201cwill continue to engage with ALL stakeholders as was demonstrated in working with UNIPSIL to established the government\u2019s aim at preventing political violence, fostering inter-party dialogue\u2026 further enhancing women participation in politics.\u201d<\/p>\n

He disclosed that Sierra Leone \u201cis also making steady progress in putting structures in place to addressing youth unemployment which continues to be a challenge, trans-national organized crime, corruption, participation of women in peace building, public service, and gender based violence,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Minister Dauda also briefed the Council on the steps taken by President Ernest B. Koroma in response to the political crisis in Bo including his condemnation of the incidents and convening an emergency security meeting at State House that was attended by leaders of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC), the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Information & Communications, the Chief of Staff, Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police and key representatives of political interest groups.<\/p>\n

This month the Council is expected to renew the mandate of UNIPSIL which expires on September 15th<\/sup>.\u00a0 The renewal of UNIPSIL mandate comes at time of high tension between political parties in Sierra Leone due to regional loyalties that divide party lines.\u00a0 Distrust between the parties and contest of presidential and local by-election have raised concern over a possible resurgence of political violence and intolerance in the country.<\/p>\n

UNIPSIL was established by Security Council Resolution (1829) of August 4, 2008.\u00a0 Its mandate involves political and development activities to support the government of Sierra Leone indentifying and resolving tensions and threats of potential conflicts; monitoring and promoting human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law including efforts to counter transnational organized crime and drug trafficking.<\/p>\n

The mandate also calls for consolidating good governance reforms, with a special focus on anti-corruption instruments such as the Anti-Corruption Commission amongst other activities.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Sierra Leone is one of five countries \u2013 along with Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Guinea-Bissau and Liberia \u2013 on the agenda of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, which was set up in 2005 to help post-conflict countries avoid slipping back into war.<\/p>\n

A link to the entire report is here: (S\/2011\/554 <\/a>) and you can also view the Security Council Meeting on UNIPSIL at this link: http:\/\/www.unmultimedia.org\/tv\/webcast\/2011\/09\/sierra-leone-security-council-meeting.html<\/span><\/p>\n

By Dennis Kabatto<\/em><\/p>\n

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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