UN / LIBERIA
27-Jun-2017
00:02:03
As United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) enters the final phase of its mandate, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia today (27 Jun) told the Security Council that the country remains "stable" with no threats envisaged beyond "isolated and sporadic incidents of a public order nature" in the context of the upcoming October presidential and legislative elections and the subsequent transition of government in January. UNIFEED
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STORY: UN / LIBERIA
TRT: 02:03
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 27 JUNE 2017, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
TRT: 02:03
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 27 JUNE 2017, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
SHOTLIST
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters
27 JUNE 2017, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, Liberian ambassador
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia:
“As UNMIL entered the final phase of its mandate, Liberia has remained stable. No major threats are envisaged beyond possible isolated and sporadic incidents of a public order nature in the context of the presidential and legislative elections in October, and the subsequent transition of government in January.”
5. Med shot, delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia:
“It will be crucial that Liberia’s law enforcement agencies are adequately prepared to respond to potential low-level civil unrest and mob violence during this delicate period. Current limitations in manpower, equipment, and mobility may restrict the ability of these agencies to respond to multiple simultaneous security incidents.”
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations and Chair of the PBC Liberia Configuration:
“Liberia is at a critical juncture. Several historic transitions are underway. The situation, therefore, requires and deserves the dedicated attention of international partners in the months ahead. While no one I met indicated to me that there exists a clear and imminent risk of relapse into conflict, there are real hurdles ahead as the peacekeeping mission is closing down and as the new government takes the reins.”
9. Med shot, delegates
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lewis Garseedah Brown II, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations:
“Where there was pervasive hopelessness when the troops arrived, ours has come to be a more hopeful society. Where deaths and destruction once stalked our streets, notwithstanding the presenting challenges, a renewed commitment to democratic governance and the popular desire to rebuild the broken nation drives the discourse and motivates a break with our tragic past.”
11. Wide shot, Council
1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters
27 JUNE 2017, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, Liberian ambassador
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia:
“As UNMIL entered the final phase of its mandate, Liberia has remained stable. No major threats are envisaged beyond possible isolated and sporadic incidents of a public order nature in the context of the presidential and legislative elections in October, and the subsequent transition of government in January.”
5. Med shot, delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia:
“It will be crucial that Liberia’s law enforcement agencies are adequately prepared to respond to potential low-level civil unrest and mob violence during this delicate period. Current limitations in manpower, equipment, and mobility may restrict the ability of these agencies to respond to multiple simultaneous security incidents.”
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations and Chair of the PBC Liberia Configuration:
“Liberia is at a critical juncture. Several historic transitions are underway. The situation, therefore, requires and deserves the dedicated attention of international partners in the months ahead. While no one I met indicated to me that there exists a clear and imminent risk of relapse into conflict, there are real hurdles ahead as the peacekeeping mission is closing down and as the new government takes the reins.”
9. Med shot, delegates
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lewis Garseedah Brown II, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations:
“Where there was pervasive hopelessness when the troops arrived, ours has come to be a more hopeful society. Where deaths and destruction once stalked our streets, notwithstanding the presenting challenges, a renewed commitment to democratic governance and the popular desire to rebuild the broken nation drives the discourse and motivates a break with our tragic past.”
11. Wide shot, Council
STORYLINE
As United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) enters the final phase of its mandate, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia today (27 Jun) told the Security Council that the country remains "stable" with no threats envisaged beyond "isolated and sporadic incidents of a public order nature" in the context of the upcoming October presidential and legislative elections and the subsequent transition of government in January.
Briefing on the latest Secretary-General’s report and activities related to the mission’s drawdown, Farid Zarif, who is also the Head of UNMIL, told the Council that “it will be crucial that Liberia’s law enforcement agencies are adequately prepared to respond to potential low-level civil unrest and mob violence during this delicate period. Current limitations in manpower, equipment, and mobility may restrict the ability of these agencies to respond to multiple simultaneous security incidents.”
Swedish ambassador and Chair of the Liberia Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Olof Skoog, briefed the Council on his recent visit to the country and said Liberia “is at a critical juncture.”
Skoog said “several historic transitions are underway. The situation, therefore, requires and deserves the dedicated attention of international partners in the months ahead. While no one I met indicated to me that there exists a clear and imminent risk of relapse into conflict, there are real hurdles ahead as the peacekeeping mission is closing down and as the new government takes the reins.”
Liberian ambassador Lewis Garseedah Brown II, for his part recalled the positive changes that have taken place in the country since UNMIL’s arrival. He said “where there was pervasive hopelessness when the troops arrived, ours has come to be a more hopeful society. Where deaths and destruction once stalked our streets, notwithstanding the presenting challenges, a renewed commitment to democratic governance and the popular desire to rebuild the broken nation drives the discourse and motivates a break with our tragic past.”
On 23 December, the Council adopted resolution 2333, which renewed UNMIL’s mandate for a final period until 30 March 2018, after which the mission will be terminated.
The October election will mark the first democratic transfer of power in the country as President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will conclude her two terms in office.
Briefing on the latest Secretary-General’s report and activities related to the mission’s drawdown, Farid Zarif, who is also the Head of UNMIL, told the Council that “it will be crucial that Liberia’s law enforcement agencies are adequately prepared to respond to potential low-level civil unrest and mob violence during this delicate period. Current limitations in manpower, equipment, and mobility may restrict the ability of these agencies to respond to multiple simultaneous security incidents.”
Swedish ambassador and Chair of the Liberia Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Olof Skoog, briefed the Council on his recent visit to the country and said Liberia “is at a critical juncture.”
Skoog said “several historic transitions are underway. The situation, therefore, requires and deserves the dedicated attention of international partners in the months ahead. While no one I met indicated to me that there exists a clear and imminent risk of relapse into conflict, there are real hurdles ahead as the peacekeeping mission is closing down and as the new government takes the reins.”
Liberian ambassador Lewis Garseedah Brown II, for his part recalled the positive changes that have taken place in the country since UNMIL’s arrival. He said “where there was pervasive hopelessness when the troops arrived, ours has come to be a more hopeful society. Where deaths and destruction once stalked our streets, notwithstanding the presenting challenges, a renewed commitment to democratic governance and the popular desire to rebuild the broken nation drives the discourse and motivates a break with our tragic past.”
On 23 December, the Council adopted resolution 2333, which renewed UNMIL’s mandate for a final period until 30 March 2018, after which the mission will be terminated.
The October election will mark the first democratic transfer of power in the country as President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will conclude her two terms in office.
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