11 Sep 2012

UN / SIERRA LEONE

The UN envoy to Sierra Leone, Jens Toyberg-Frandzen today urged Sierra Leone's political parties to honour their commitment to hold free and fair elections in November. UNTV

Posted at: September 11, 2012 2:05 pm

Duration: 01:57

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / SIERRA LEONE
TRT: 1.57
SOURCE: UNTV 
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 11 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

11 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council 
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary General in Sierra Leone:
"We continue to urge Sierra Leone's political parties and all major stakeholders to fully implement the commitments they have made under the declaration. Mr. President, providing an enabling security environment at all stages of the electoral process and in the immediate post-electoral period will be equally indispensable. In that regard, the role of the Sierra Leone security agencies, and particularly the Sierra Leone's police, remains critical."
5. Med shot, delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Guillermo Rishchynski Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission's Configuration for Sierra Leone:
"Much has been invested and much gained in Sierra Leone in the past years. The forthcoming elections and transition period present risks, but also constitutes an opportunity to further consolidate peace, deepen democratic governance and lay the foundations for a prosperous future. Sierra Leoneans have demonstrated tremendous determination in rebuilding their country after a devastating civil war. The international community, Mr. President, needs to continue standing shoulder to shoulder with them in the years to come."
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Shekou M. Touray, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations:
"As we commend all of us and relevant stakeholders for the gains made, some of which are quite irreversible, it is crucial that together we continue to tackle the remaining challenges in order to further advance and consolidate comprehensively our peacebuilding priorities. Key among these is the increasing need to address the economic, social and governance challenges to match the great expectations of Sierra Leoneans."
9. Med shot, delegates
10. Wide shot, Security Council

STORYLINE:

The United Nations top official in Sierra Leone, Jens Toyberg-Frandzen today (11 September) urged Sierra Leone's political parties and other relevant stakeholders to adhere to their commitment to free and fair elections, slated for 17 November.

Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary General in Sierra Leone, in a briefing to the Security Council, said that "providing an enabling security environment at all stages of the electoral process and in the immediate post-electoral period will be equally indispensable."

In that regard, he added, "the role of the Sierra Leone security agencies, and particularly the Sierra Leone's police, remains critical."

Toyberg-Frandzen was presenting the Secretary-General's latest report on the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL).

The Secretary-General in his report recommended a mandate extension in order to allow UNIPSIL to perform a number of tasks, including "the preparation of a transition plan and exit strategy" following the November elections.

The chair of the Peacebuilding Commission's (PBC) country-specific configuration for Sierra Leone, Guillermo Rishchynski, also briefing the Council, said the forthcoming elections and transition period "present risks, but also constitutes an opportunity to further consolidate peace, deepen democratic governance and lay the foundations for a prosperous future."

Rishchynski said Sierra Leoneans "have demonstrated tremendous determination in rebuilding their country after a devastating civil war" and called on the international community, "to continue standing shoulder to shoulder with them in the years to come."

Ambassador Shekou M. Touray of Sierra Leone told the Council it was "crucial" to continue to tackle the remaining challenges, among which is "the increasing need to address the economic, social and governance challenges to match the great expectations of Sierra Leoneans."

The Security Council is expected to soon vote on a resolution requesting UNIPSIL to provide assistance to conflict prevention and mitigation efforts, including through promoting the role of women in conflict prevention and supporting genuine and inclusive dialogue among political parties, the Government and all relevant stakeholders.