Ban thanks outgoing head of UN peacebuilding office in Sierra Leone for his work

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his appreciation of the work of the outgoing United Nations envoy to Sierra Leone, Michael von der Schulenburg, including his initiatives to boost donor cooperation and efficient aid use in the West African country.

Mr. von der Schulenburg, the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) will leave the country on Monday at the end of his term, which began in 2008.

Mr. Ban also thanked Mr. von der Schulenburg for his “open and fruitful work with all sections of the Sierra Leonean society including with political parties and stakeholders [and] his effective cooperation with the Peacebuilding Commission,” said a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Secretary-General.

UNIPSIL and the UN country team will remain closely engaged and will continue to assist, where possible, in the effort to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Sierra Leone, the statement said. The office will also continue to strive to enhance dialogue among major political parties in the country.