Security Council wraps up Africa trip with talks in Liberia

A United Nations Security Council delegation met President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia today on the last leg of a week-long visit to Africa.

The discussions focused on peace, security, economic recovery and development, according to information released by the world body. The subject of the drawdown of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was also on the agenda.

The 15-member delegation also visited the Liberia National Police Academy, where the UN has been assisting the Government to recruit, train and deploy new professional police officers, and attended a graduation ceremony for female ex-combatants who have completed training in dressmaking and related skills.

The group also met business leaders, including representatives of global steel giant ArcelorMittal and Buchanan Renewable Energy – two companies that are sources of revenue and jobs in Liberia.

On Tuesday, Council members held consultations with top UN officials and key diplomats who make up the International Contact Group on Liberia. Also at this meeting were the Ambassadors of China and Libya, as well as the representatives of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Liberia.

The team, which left New York on 14 May, also made stops in Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A similar Security Council mission visited Djibouti, Sudan, Chad, DRC and Côte d’Ivoire last June.