Security Council

6876^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Commends Sierra Leone for Successful 17 November Election,

 

Calls on All Parties to Accept Result, Work Constructively with Government

 

The Security Council this morning commended Sierra Leone on the holding of successful presidential, parliamentary, district and local elections, calling upon all political parties and candidates to accept the results and to work with the Government in a constructive manner, through national dialogue and reconciliation.

Through a statement read out by Hardeep Singh Puri of India, which holds the Council presidency for the month of November, the Council underscored the significance of the elections for Sierra Leone’s recovery from the devastating civil war that ended in 2002 — noting that 17 November polls made up the first set of elections to be run entirely by the country’s democratic institutions since the conflict — and urged all parties to resolve any grievances peacefully through the appropriate legal means in accordance with national laws. 

Urging the finalization of a robust and inclusive development and peace consolidation programme by the new administration and all political parties, it also urged the international community to continue to provide coherent support to Sierra Leone, requesting the Peacebuilding Commission to provide support in international resource mobilization efforts and coordination of international development partners.

Following the reading of the statement, the representative of Sierra Leone thanked the Council for its support in the consolidation of peace and development in his country and pledged his Government’s determination to work with all its citizens, no matter what their party affiliations, as well as with the Peacebuilding Commission in further building inclusive peace and prosperity.

The meeting began at 9:53 a.m. and ended at 10:00 a.m.

Statement

The complete text of the presidential statement contained in document S/PRST/2012/25 reads as follows:

“The Security Council welcomesthe briefing from the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone, Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, on 28 November 2012.

“The Security Council commends Sierra Leone for the conduct and successful conclusion of presidential, parliamentary, district, and local elections, in particular acknowledging the important role played by Sierra Leone’s electoral institutions, political parties, civil society groups, international partners, and domestic and international observers.  The Council congratulates the people of Sierra Leone for their large turnout in the elections, which showed their strong commitment to democracy.  The Council welcomes the formal announcement of polling results from the National Electoral Commission and positive reports from observers on the conduct of the elections.

“The Security Council recognizes the important role played by the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), the United Nations Country Team, and bilateral and international partners in supporting Sierra Leone during the electoral process.

“The Security Council calls upon all political parties and candidates to accept the results and to work with the Government of Sierra Leone in a constructive manner through national dialogue and reconciliation.  The Council urges all parties to resolve any grievances peacefully through the appropriate legal means in accordance with Sierra Leone’s national laws.

“The Security Council underscores the significance of these elections and the wide acceptance of the results as a key benchmark of consolidating peace in Sierra Leone.  They were the third set of elections to have been held in Sierra Leone since the end of the civil war and the first to be run entirely by Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions.

“The Security Council stresses that there is important work ahead to further embed peace and secure equitable prosperity for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.  The Security Council notes the importance of the formulation and implementation of a robust development and peace consolidation programme that is inclusive and improves the lives of all Sierra Leoneans, and urges the new Administration and all political parties to finalize the programme in a balanced and inclusive manner.

“The Security Council urges the international community and development partners to continue to provide coordinated and coherent support to Sierra Leone to meet its peacebuilding and development priorities. 

“In addition, the Security Council requests the Peacebuilding Commission to continue to provide support to Sierra Leone, in particular in international resource mobilization efforts and coordination of international development partners.

“The Security Council recalls its request in resolution 2065 (2012) for the Secretary-General to deploy an inter-agency technical assessment mission to Sierra Leone, and in particular for this mission to consider detailed proposals and a recommended timeline for the transition, drawdown, and exit strategy for UNIPSIL by no later than 15 February 2013.”

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For information media • not an official record