SECURITY COUNCIL URGES CONTINUED SUPPORT TO POST-ELECTION SIERRA LEONE

SECURITY COUNCIL URGES CONTINUED SUPPORT TO POST-ELECTION SIERRA LEONE
New York, Sep 19 2007 7:00PM
The Security Council today commended Sierra Leone on the recent holding of presidential elections and called for continued international support as the West African nation proceeds on its path to peace and security.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sc9121.doc.htm">statement read out by Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, the 15-member body "congratulated the people and institutions of Sierra Leone – particularly the National Electoral Commission and the Sierra Leone Police – on their conduct over the election period and the commitment that they demonstrated to the democratic process."

Ernest Bai Koroma of the All People's Congress Party was declared the winner of the run-off elections held on 8 September, after polls held on 11 August failed to produce an outright winner.

The presidential elections were the first since UN peacekeepers left in 2005 after helping to bring peace and stability to the country which was torn apart by a brutal 10-year civil war. Since then the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) has been engaged in assisting the fledgling democracy.

Echoing the Council's comments, the top UN envoy to Sierra Leone today expressed appreciation for the restraint demonstrated by the people since the announcement of the results on Monday.

The Secretary-General's Executive Representative Victor Angelo called on everyone to "remain within the rule of law, and to respect public order and private property" in a statement issued in the capital, Freetown.

Stressing that "constructive dialogue at this time in the history of Sierra Leone is crucial," he reaffirmed that the UN remains actively engaged to support national efforts to consolidate peace, democracy and development.
2007-09-19 00:00:00.000

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