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UN Council told of remarkable turnaround in Sierra Leone

UN Council told of remarkable turnaround in Sierra Leone

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In his final briefing to the Security Council on Sierra Leone today, the top United Nations envoy there said that the country’s rebirth from the horrors of civil war is continuing, long with a growing sense of stability and an improvement of basic services, though international security assistance is still needed.

In his final briefing to the Security Council on Sierra Leone today, the top United Nations envoy there said that the country’s rebirth from the horrors of civil war is continuing, long with a growing sense of stability and an improvement of basic services, though international security assistance is still needed.

“Today will close the final chapter about a country that has gradually risen from the ruins of a devastating decade-long conflict and undergone a remarkable turnaround, and that now is heading towards a future filled with hope and the promise of a better life for its population,” Daudi Ngelautwa Mwakawago, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sierra Leone, told the council.

The troop withdrawal of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) is also expected to be completed today, he said, while the present 33 UN police details were to be scaled down to 10 by the end of December.

A smaller team chosen from that group of officers will stay temporarily in Freetown to facilitate the transition to the new UN interim office.

Mr. Mwakawago said there is no major threat on the horizon to internal or eternal security. Nonetheless, border security patrols continue to guard against any unforeseen mishaps that may occur.

The Secretary-General’s efforts to mobilize support for strengthening Sierra Leone’s armed forces has elicited positive responses from several countries, he said.

However, there are still large funding gaps in meeting security-sector running costs and in the acquisition of transport assets, especially support services, communications equipment and adequate accommodation.

As the 2007 elections draws near, he said it is very likely that both inter-and intra-party rivalry will intensify, but the vibrant political interaction among Sierra Leoneans is a welcome change.

UNAMSIL has initiated a series of programmes designed to promote inter-party dialogue, as well as reconciliation and tolerance among the political parties.

In his final report on the mission before the Council today, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he viewed UNAMSIL’s accomplishments “with a deep sense of satisfaction.”

“The trials and tribulations faced by the mission during the crisis of 2000, the measures taken to reverse its fortunes, and its achievements between 2001 and today, are indeed remarkable,” Mr. Annan said in his last report to the Security Council on UNAMSIL, referring to mission’s recovery from the resurgence of violence in the country in which UN headquarters in Freetown were overrun and destroyed.