United Nations Radio

The foreign minister of Sierra Leone on Monday reiterated a call on the Security Council to continue its support, understanding and patience as her country consolidates peace.

Zainab Bangura

Zainab Bangura was speaking in the Council's meeting on the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations peace-building office in Sierra Leone.

She said despite efforts by the government to consolidate peace and set the country on the path of sustained economic growth and development, challenges remain.

She told the Security Council that the recent violence between supporters of the ruling and main opposition parties in Freetown and Pujehun in March was a test of the endurance of the country's young and fragile democracy.

"In this regard, the President sincerely welcomed and gave his blessing to the timely and calculated move by the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General to bring the two parties together to sign a joint communiqué on April 2, 2009 in the presence of the President, cabinet minister and members of the diplomatic corpse. This exemplary innovative approach to conflict resolution has helped enormously to reinvigorate our young and fragile democracy as well as the national reconciliation process."

Foreign Minister Bangura said that as an immediate step, the government has banned the radio stations that instigated the skirmishes which led to the deteriorating security situation in Sierra Leone.

Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio.

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