Sierra Leone: UN hands over security in east to Government

The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has returned primary control of security in Sierra Leone's eastern province to the Freetown Government.

At a ceremony in Kenema, the home of the eastern provincial headquarters, UNAMSIL Force Commander Maj. Gen. Sajjad Akram on Wednesday stressed that following the handover, peacekeepers would continue working with the army and police to "ensure that they are capable of maintaining peace and security throughout the country" after a complete pullout.

That process is expected to culminate in September when UNAMSIL transfers security primacy in the capital, Freetown, to the Government.

Sierra Leone's Vice President, Solomon Berewa, hailed the UN peacekeepers for playing an "impressive role in the restoration of peace and in the maintenance of stability in the country."