Security Council, Others Visit Liberia

The Liberian Government will this week host a high power delegation of the United Nations Security Council headed by Ambassador Susan Rice, US Representative to the UN.

According to a UN statement, the Council's visit to Liberia is “to reaffirm the continued support of the Security Council for the Government and people of Liberia as they rebuild their country and strengthen the foundations of sustainable peace, constitutional democracy and economic development.”

While in the country, the Security Council delegation will also express support for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and its efforts to promote peace and security in Liberia, as well as review progress in the implementation of UNMIL's mandate and assess the appropriate timing and modalities for UNMIL's reconfiguration.

In addition, the high power delegation of the UN Security Council will assess the institutional and operational capacity of the Liberian National Police and other national security institutions throughout the country, including the Armed Forces of Liberia.

According to the statement, the  Council's delegation “will welcome the efforts of the Government of Liberia to further national reconciliation, combat corruption and promote efficiency and good governance.”

The Security Council delegation will also meet with top Liberian Government officials to discuss wide range of  critical national issues.

Meanwhile, the President of the UNICEF United Kingdom (UK) National Committee is due in the country from 16-20 May  for an assessment mission.  Lord Jeremy John Durham  Ashdown and delegation will visit several places and institutions in Liberia.

According to its itinerary, the UNICEF visiting delegation on Thursday, May 17  will  visit the Redemption Hospital -  Nutrition  therapeutic center and Pediatric  based unit in New Kru Town outside Monrovia. It will also visit Tubmanburg in Bomi County to assess among other things, the Social Cash Transfer Program in the area.

At the same time, the chairman of the Security Council Sanctions Committee on Liberia Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon is visiting Liberia to engage key stakeholders so as to ascertain their views on the future of the sanctions regime and, in doing so, make significant contribution to the Security Council review of the regime in accordance with resolution 2025 (2011).

Also in Liberia, is the Chair of the Peace Building Committee, Ambassador Tillander of Sweden. The Ambassador's visit is intended to explore continuous peace building assistance to Liberia.

The visits of these high power delegations to Liberia indicate that the country is doing well in its governance process as well as keeping the peace and maintaining a sense of security in the country.

It can be recalled that Liberia recently concluded presidential and general elections and is progressing toward the consolidation of peace and democracy. Many, including leading members of the international community, have hailed the country as a model of post-conflict success story.