SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN SIERRA LEONE TOMORROW

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is pleased to note that the first elections to be conducted by the Sierra Leonean authorities after the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) in December 2005 will take place tomorrow, 11 August, as scheduled.  The United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), United Nations Development Programme and other international partners have provided technical assistance to the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone to ensure that the elections preparations meet international standards.  The Secretary-General thanks the international partners that have provided logistical, financial and technical support to Sierra Leone’s National Electoral Commission, and commends the Commission for putting in place the requisite arrangements on schedule.

The Secretary-General emphasizes that free, fair and credible elections, which reflect the wishes of the people of Sierra Leone, are crucial to securing the peace that has been built in Sierra Leone and to paving the way for development and prosperity in the future.  The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about recent and ongoing incidents of violence involving supporters of main Sierra Leonean political parties.  He, therefore, appeals to all Sierra Leonean political parties and their followers to conduct themselves in a manner that enables the elections to take place in a peaceful atmosphere.

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For information media • not an official record