Sierra Leone's prospects of moving forward and boosting its socio-economic
situation is "hopeful," a senior United Nations peacekeeping official told the
Security Council today.
"However, this will require the Government making tough economic and
political decisions and implementing policies that promote transparency and
accountability," Assistant Secretary-General Dmitry Titov of the Department of
Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) said. "It will require sacrifice and patience on
the part of Sierra Leoneans as the country continues its journey towards full
economic recovery."
Mr. Titov, who briefed the Council on the work of the UN Integrated Office in
Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), said that the political and security situation in the
West African nation is "generally calm," but pointed out that there have been
several violent incidents involving supporters of the ruling All Peoples
Congress (APC) and the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).
In July, the country will hold local council elections, which the official
characterized as "another major step towards enhancing its democratic process."
But he warned that tensions between APC and SLPP supporters will rise in the
run-up to the polls, and noted that UNIOSIL is working with many groups on the
ground for a peaceful election.
The Assistant Secretary-General said that surging staple commodities and fuel
prices have led to there being little in the way of progress in Sierra Leone's
socio-economic condition, voicing concern that dissatisfaction over soaring
prices could lead to unrest.
He also cautioned that gains made in rebuilding the country could be reversed
if more employment opportunities are not generated for young people.
Meanwhile, the human rights situation has seen an improvement, given the
bolstered respect for civil and political rights and the passing of legislation
on women's and children's rights.
"However, efforts to implement the recommendations of the Truth and
Reconciliation are still very slow," Mr. Titov told the Council.
On the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) - established in December 2005 to help
countries recovering from war avoid a relapse into violence and chaos - he
observed that the adoption of a PBC Framework for Sierra Leone "has injected
fresh impetus into the peace consolidation process."
The chair of the PBC's Sierra Leone "configuration" said in his remarks to
the Council that "impressive" steps have been taken in the areas of justice and
security sector reform; anti-corruption; the development of the energy sector;
and preparation for the upcoming elections.
But "there are also a number of challenges which must be addressed in the
next few months," said Dutch Ambassador Frank Majoor, including the need to
appoint a new head of UNIOSIL and to create a means to informally coordinate on
PBC-related issues.
In his most recent report on the UN mission, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
wrote that UNIOSIL will withdraw in September and recommended that it be
replaced by a UN integrated peacebuilding office, to be known as UNIPSIL, which
"holistically addresses the political, economic and peacebuilding challenges
facing the country."
At today's Council meeting, Mr. Majoor stated that "the follow-on mission
must also have adequate operational capacity and logistical support to
effectively carry out its mandate," urging that a new Executive Representative
of the Secretary-General to head UNIOSIL - a position that has been vacant since
December 2007 - be appointed as soon as possible.
UNIOSIL was set up in 2006 to help the Government consolidate the country's
hard-won peace following a brutal, 11-year conflict, and to tackle a wide range
of challenges related to good governance, security, human rights and
development.
In a related development, representatives of Sierra Leone's Government and
civil society are taking part in a UN-backed meeting which started yesterday on
the country's reporting obligations to global human rights treaty monitoring
bodies.
Participants at the event - sponsored by the Foreign Ministry, UNIOSIL, the
UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone
- conferred on adopting a national strategy to jump-start the reporting process
by the Government.
In addition, a two-day training scheme led by UNIOSIL's Human Rights and Rule
of Law Section began today for some 50 people to improve their understanding of
the issues and the reporting process.
Scoop: Sierra
Leone's Socio-Economic Situation Hopeful
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