S/PV.7148 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Sierra Leone to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I extend a very warm welcome to His Excellency Mr. Samura M.W. Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone, to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Guillermo Rishchynski, Chair of the Sierra Leone country-specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission and Permanent Representative of Canada, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2014/192, which contains the final report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone. I now give the floor to Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen. Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen: Let me begin by thanking the Security Council for the opportunity to present the final report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), contained in document S/2014/192, dated 17 March 2014. As members of the Council know, the report before the Council takes stock of the overall implementation of the mandate of UNIPSIL since its establishment in 2008. It also presents an assessment of the remaining challenges facing Sierra Leone after UNIPSIL’s drawdown by 31 March, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2097 (2013). UNIPSIL is indeed in the final stages of its drawdown and, as the Council is aware, the Secretary- General marked the formal closure of the Mission on 5 March 2014 during his visit to Sierra Leone. As the Council is also aware, the country has made remarkable strides in post-conflict recovery, democratic transition and peace consolidation. Indeed, the general atmosphere of peace that now prevails is the culmination of more than 15 years of successive Security Council-mandated peace operations in the country. As the report indicates, the progress achieved is attributable first and foremost to the determination of the people and Government of Sierra Leone to break with the past and work towards a peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation. It is also the result of a remarkable level of steady engagement by the United Nations and international partners, demonstrating that concerted international action can yield positive results. Though Sierra Leone is continuing on the right path, it still faces a number of challenges linked to the root causes of the war that require sustained attention and support. Allow me to emphasize some of those key remaining challenges, as outlined in the Secretary- General’s report. They are, first, pervasive poverty and unemployment, especially among young people; secondly, endemic corruption; thirdly, upholding the rule of law; and fourthly, the need for the authorities to broaden the political space. The ongoing constitutional review process and the implementation of the Agenda for Prosperity are important opportunities in that regard. Addressing the remaining challenges will require the joint efforts of all Sierra Leoneans to work together and place the national interest above all other interests. During the Secretary-General’s visit to Sierra Leone earlier this month, it was heartening to hear all the major political parties speaking with one voice in a joint statement in which they committed to work towards a peaceful future for Sierra Leone. During its last year, UNIPSIL focused on its remaining mandate, as outlined in resolution 2097 (2013) and the transfer of residual tasks to the United Nations country team. In that regard, I am pleased to note that the United Nations will continue to provide support through the Peacebuilding Fund to constitutional review, security sector reform, promotion of human rights and conflict prevention. Just last week, the Minister of Finance and I signed the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for 2015-2018, which will serve as the United Nations strategy in Sierra Leone in support of the Government’s Agenda for Prosperity. I believe that national authorities and institutions are ready and willing to assume responsibility for their country’s peacebuilding and development agenda. Nevertheless, the continued assistance of Sierra Leone’s international partners will remain critical. I urge Sierra Leone’s development partners to remain engaged and to consolidate the many investments made over the years, including through support for the Agenda for Prosperity and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework. Increasing State revenue will also be crucial. I commend President Koroma for his zero-tolerance approach to corruption; it is an important step towards improving the business climate and attracting investors with strong, responsible business practices. Special Representative of the Secretary-General Djinnit and I have worked closely together over the past month regarding the role of the United Nations Office for West Africa in Sierra Leone after UNIPSIL’s drawdown, including through the good offices of the Secretary-General, as needed. I am pleased to hear that the Peacebuilding Commission, with which I will be meeting later today, intends to continue to monitor Sierra Leone with a view towards engaging on an as-needed basis. I would also like to underscore the importance of the Security Council’s support for regional peace and security efforts of the African Union, the Economic Community of West Africa States and the Mano River Union. The Council’s support for implementation of the strategy for cross-border security in the Mano River Union presents an opportunity in that regard. In concluding, I would take this opportunity to thank the people and Government of Sierra Leone, in particular His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, for their support for the efforts of the United Nations, including the seamless and timely completion of UNIPSIL’s drawdown and exit. I would also like to reiterate our appreciation to the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund and all bilateral donors for the fruitful partnership for peacebuilding in Sierra Leone. Finally, I thank the Council for its commitment to success in Sierra Leone through the United Nations peace operations during the past 15 years, and particularly during UNIPSIL’s mandate.

I thank Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Rishchynski. Mr. Rishchynski: It is a great honour to brief the Security Council on this occasion. The passage of Sierra Leone from the Security Council’s formal agenda marks the crossing of an important threshold. Sierra Leone is making the transition from the special attention to post- conflict countries to a more traditional development footing. It has established political stability, restored basic security, reinvigorated democratic processes, built important national institutions and generated economic growth. Those are tremendous achievements. It is often said that there can be no peace without justice. A pertinent development in Sierra Leone is that, in partnership with the international community, the country established a Special Court for Sierra Leone to bring to justice the perpetrators of horrific crimes committed during their war. The Special Court can take pride in both that contribution and in setting a number of firsts, such as the first conviction of a former Head of State since Nuremberg, Charles Taylor. The Special Court set precedents concerning attacks on United Nations peacekeepers, child soldiers and forced marriage, and it was the first international tribunal to successfully conclude its mandate. The Special Court was a true partnership between Sierra Leone, the United Nations and Member States, with great credit due to its judges and staff, the Management Committee and, most importantly, the Government and people of Sierra Leone. (spoke in French) In addition to this progress, it is also worth noting the speed with which Sierra Leone managed this transformation. Fourteen years ago, the country hosted the world’s largest peacekeeping mission. At a time when much policy attention is focused on managing periods of transition, Sierra Leone stands as an example of what it is possible to accomplish with successively smaller peace operations successfully giving way to an integrated peacebuilding office and a United Nations country team led by a resident coordinator. More broadly, Sierra Leone is a success story built on steady progress, able support from the United Nations system as a whole, committed bilateral assistance and, above all, the dedication of Sierra Leoneans. While the withdrawal of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) should be properly celebrated, it should also not be mistaken for an end point. Despite such significant progress, a number of problems remain. The root causes of the original conflict cannot be fully addressed in little more than a decade. Corruption requires continued attention, and youth unemployment remains high. Security and justice sector institutions will require sustained capacity-building, especially if they are to retain the public trust. Surging investment in natural resources and challenges associated with managing land tenure hold potential for conflict at the communal level. As time passes, we hope that Sierra Leoneans will also be able increasingly to expect concrete improvements in health, education, employment, and infrastructure. We commend the Government of Sierra Leone for having identified these various challenges in its Agenda for Prosperity and for taking steps to address them. (spoke in English) At the same time, recognizing these realities highlights the need for sustained support. Too often, the international community has failed to adequately persevere for the full duration of peace consolidation efforts. I am very pleased to report that initial indications in Sierra Leone are very positive. Bilateral donors have remained steadfast in their commitments and some are increasing their funding. The United Nations country team is prepared to absorb key residual responsibilities from UNIPSIL, particularly in the key areas of conflict prevention and security sector reform, thanks in part to the Peacebuilding Fund. United Nations technical assistance is also being provided for the constitutional review process, which represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen democracy, enshrine human rights, address women’s rights, reform land tenure, and consider natural resource management. As with all such processes, the constitutional review also holds the potential to generate political tensions if not managed carefully. For its part, the engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) with Sierra Leone will continue over the course of the coming year, albeit in a significantly scaled-down form. When we returned from our most recent visit to Freetown in late February, impressed by the level of consensus on this point, the Government of Sierra Leone, national stakeholders, diplomatic partners, and the United Nations country team all expressed the utility of the PBC’s political accompaniment. (spoke in French) Its future role will be lighter than it is now, with the emphasis on serving as an advocate with the international community and responding to needs as they arise by mobilizing international attention. As Chair, I plan to maintain close communication with the Government, its international partners and the United Nations country team. Coordination among a smaller steering group of particularly interested Member States will allow for a more adaptive approach and a reduction in the number of formal configuration meetings. Recognizing that this new role is precedent-setting for the Commission, I also intend to conduct a light stock- taking exercise in approximately one year with a view to Sierra Leone’s exit from the Commission’s agenda, if appropriate at that time. (spoke in English) Sierra Leone has shown us all that recovery from war is possible. In the process, it has also proved again that the United Nations can tackle complex peacebuilding challenges and see them through to completion. It has demonstrated that investment in peace on the part of international partners can reap significant dividends, as best expressed by Sierra Leone’s transformation from a recipient of peacekeeping support 15 years ago to a valued troop-contributing country today. Most importantly, at a time when the international community is faced with a series of terrible crises that afflict us all, Sierra Leone shows that a society determined to build a better future can indeed succeed. We should celebrate that development.

I thank Mr. Rishchynski for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council. Sir Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom): I should like to welcome Foreign Minister Kamara to the Security Council this morning. I also thank Executive Representative Jens Toyberg-Frandzen and Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski for their briefings. I pay particular tribute to Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen for his personal contribution over the past two and a half years to the work of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). The United Kingdom welcomes the presidential statement to be adopted later this morning on the completion of the UNIPSIL mandate. Today marks a watershed in the history of Sierra Leone and is a moment of celebration for the people of Sierra Leone, the United Nations and the Security Council. Today, I will reflect on three points: Sierra Leone’s success, the work ahead to consolidate peace, and the key lessons we can learn from Sierra Leone as we address conflicts elsewhere in Africa and around the world. First, with respect to Sierra Leone’s success, since Sierra Leone came on to the Security Council agenda 15 years ago it has undergone a remarkable transformation from civil war to landmark presidential elections in November 2012. Today is another milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey from fragile State to a country that now supports conflict-resolution efforts around Africa. In 2002, Sierra Leone hosted the world’s largest peacekeeping mission in the aftermath of a brutal war. In 2014, Sierra Leone contributes its own troops to other peacekeeping missions in Africa, helping to provide stability in countries such as Somalia and Mali. The United Nations played a central role in helping Sierra Leone to recover from its devastating civil war. Effective, tailored and well-planned United Nations peacebuilding interventions can improve people’s lives. The United Kingdom welcomes the closure of the United Nations peacebuilding mission in Sierra Leone, and I commend the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, and all other UNIPSIL staff for their dedicated work in Sierra Leone. I also welcome David McLachlan-Karr as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator. Second is the work ahead in Sierra Leone. While today we celebrate the departure of UNIPSIL, we must remember the long road ahead for Sierra Leone as it seeks to become a middle-income country. As the Secretary-General recognized during his visit earlier this month, there is still much to be done if we are to consolidate the gains of the past decade. President Koroma’s ambitious five-year development plan, the Agenda for Prosperity, sets out the development and social tasks ahead. Tackling corruption will be essential to attracting investment and insuring that economic growth benefits all citizens. The recently agreed mutual accountability framework will underpin the Agenda for Prosperity by bringing together the Government of Sierra Leone and donor partners. The United Nations, the United Kingdom and other members of the international community will continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone. In that regard, we are delighted that Sierra Leone will be one of seven new markets to receive United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry resources. Finally, I would like to touch on the lessons we can learn from Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone’s experience teaches us that it is possible to build peace in the aftermath of brutal conflict and that the United Nations can play a central role in that process. Strong national ownership of peacebuilding processes and a focus on building national institutions are essential to securing sustainable peace. Political will is required at both the national and international levels. Political engagement from the international community, such as through the Security Council, is needed to provide checks and balances to national decisions. The different instruments of the United Nations must work in a complementary fashion, such as between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. If we are to replicate the success of Sierra Leone, we must take those lessons and apply them to our discussions elsewhere in Africa and beyond, while drawing on the experiences and reflections of our colleagues and friends from Sierra Leone. In conclusion, I would like to extend the United Kingdom’s best wishes to the Government and the people of Sierra Leone and to the new United Nations country team in their work in the years to come. The United Kingdom will continue to be one of the country’s closest friends. We look forward to many years of fruitful partnership ahead.

The Security Council’s guest today, Mr. Samura M.W. Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, has convincingly shown that today marks a genuine milestone for his country. With the work of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) drawing to a close in less than a week, the long-time presence of the United Nations in the country will also come to an end. The country is closing a chapter and moving beyond its past. We note the success achieved in Sierra Leone in the areas of peacebuilding and post-conflict stabilization. Of course, the international community played an important role in that regard, mainly the United Nations and the Security Council. Comprehensive and coordinated and agreed upon efforts were undertaken. The experience gained in Sierra Leone will be useful in finding long-term, lasting solutions to other conflict situations. However, regardless of its scope, no outside support or assistance can alone achieve significant results without the active efforts of the people of a country and their Government, including their aspirations for peace and prosperity. The principle of national ownership has become a guarantee of progress at all peacebuilding stages  — the people of Sierra Leone themselves choosing priorities in that regard. Today there is a multifaceted political progress taking place in the country in the context of various laws. The economy is growing steadily. There are political parties and civic organizations. And there exists a civil society and media. Tangible efforts are being made to ensure and uphold human rights. It is of the utmost importance that the country maintain stability and security. In addition, new tasks have emerged today, in particular in the social and economic areas. All of those positive strides should be strengthened and scaled up. Of course, as with any other country, Sierra Leone has its problems. Some of those have been described in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/192) before us today. We support the active intention of the country to resolve those issues in a timely manner. In conclusion, we would like to express our gratitude to all UNIPSIL staff, as well as to Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen personally for all his efforts.

I should like to begin by welcoming Mr. Samura M.W. Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone. I also thank Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, as well Mr. Guillermo Rishchynski, Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. As the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) comes to an end, I would like to express my gratitude to all the staff of the Office, both local and international, including the staff of the United Nations country team, for their contribution in establishing security and stability and supporting peacebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone. No one can deny that the positive turn of events in Sierra Leone in recent years would not have taken place without the determination of the country’s people, whatever their ethnic or political affiliations, to build their State, strengthen their economy, address all the repercussions of the civil war, aspire to a hopeful future and strengthen and develop their region. In that regard, we note that such determination was supported by the efforts of the United Nations at the highest levels to complement the work of UNIPSIL and the country team, both in the capital and in field offices. That made it possible to secure many achievements — in strategic planning, for example  — as well as in the areas of implemenation and financing. Moreover, we would like to pay tribute to the crucial role of the Special Court for Sierra Leone in providing criminal justice as part of ensuring peace in the country. The closing of UNIPSIL in no way means the end of United Nations commitment in Sierrra Leone. On the contrary, this is a key moment in transferring certain functions to the country team following the very successful conclusion of the work of the Office. Dialogue will now be the means for resolving conflicts, and elections will also be held. The participation of women and young people in Government institutions will be very important. There will be reform of the security sector, in particular to address corruption and drug trafficking. And there will also be strengthening of human rights. All those are very important achievements. We believe that the Government of Sierra Leone’s assumption of political, economic and security responsibilities is an essential pillar in ensuring lasting stability. Moreover, working on the basis of the principles of good governance, justice and an equitable distribution of the dividends of economic development will strengthen the credibility of the Government and boost national unity, thereby decreasing the likelihood of conflict among the parties to the extent that economic development and the fair distribution of development benefits constitute the primary basis for political and security stability. With regard to recent investment in the sound performance of the economy of Sierra Leone, we would encourage the Government to continue to make progress in that direction, with the cooperation of the international community, by implementing the Agenda for Prosperity for the period 2013 to 2018, improving financial stability, reforming the monetary system and improving the system for the management of public assets. In conclusion, although we are aware of the challenges, we remain optimistic about the future of Sierra Leone. We have full trust in the future of the country, thanks to the efforts of the people and the determination of the Government to face those challenges and to continue to achieve progress in various areas. We also think that the work of UNIPSIL should be documented so that the lessons learned can be adopted by other missions in the field.

I would like to welcome to the Security Council His Excellency Mr. Samura Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone. I would also like to thank Executive Representative Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen for his briefing and his work and for that of the entire team of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). I also thank Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski for his leadership of the Sierra Leone country-specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and for his detailed briefing this morning on the ongoing work of the PBC. The closure of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone, in five days’ time, will mark an important transition for both Sierra Leone and for the United Nations system. Sierra Leone has made extraordinary progress since the end of the civil war in consolidating peace and democracy. As Sierra Leone’s focus turns now from consolidating peace to spurring economic development, it is appropriate that we acknowledge achievements and look at challenges ahead. After more than 15 years of successive United Nations peace operations, Sierra Leone now has stronger institutions, an entrenched democratic culture with regular elections and a vigorous civil society. It is actively fighting corruption and strengthening accountability. It is a successful model of how post- conflict countries can address transitional justice in a way that holds perpetrators of past crimes to account, while promoting national reconciliation. Australia commends the people and the Government of Sierra Leone for that remarkable progress. UNIPSIL has been central to that success. As the Secretary-General’s final report (S/2014/192) makes clear, by integrating its political mandate together with the development and humanitarian mandates of United Nations agencies, UNIPSIL was instrumental to United Nations system efforts in Sierra Leone to deliver as one. It continuously led efforts to promote political dialogue, manage electoral-related disputes and strengthen the vital role of civil society. And it provided crucial support to strengthen the capacity and independence of key institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the Political Parties Registration Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission. Australia welcomes the withdrawal of UNIPSIL as a good model for the conclusion of a successful United Nations peacebuilding mission. Executive Representative Toyberg-Frandzen’s strong leadership of the mission during this critical time has contributed to a seamless transition. We would encourage the Secretariat to draw on the lessons that have been gleaned from the transition process to consider how they could and should be applied elsewhere. None of that, however, is to underestimate the challenges that lie ahead. The constitutional review process holds great potential for reducing political polarization in Sierra Leone and fostering a culture of political inclusivity. Corruption and youth unemployment will remain major challenges for the Government, as will addressing trans-national threats such as drug trafficking and maritime piracy. Continuing to strengthen Sierra Leone’s institutions, particularly the security sector and the judiciary, will be important in tackling those challenges. We are particularly encouraged by the development and recent launch of a security sector reform programme, with support from United Nations Development Programme and the Peacebuilding Fund, to assist in strengthening the police and other institutions. While the Sierra Leone police have come a long way over the past 12 years, a number of challenges remain, including accountability, governance, oversight and corruption. As investment in Sierra Leone’s extractive industries increases, it will also be important to strengthen transparency and accountability in the natural resources sector and to establish robust dispute-resolution mechanisms. Then Sierra Leone can ensure that all its people benefit from the boom and the dividends of peace. The withdrawal of UNIPSIL does not mean that Sierra Leone is alone in addressing those challenges. The United Nations country team continues to impress, with its high level of integration and the seamless manner in which its agencies took over responsibility for many of UNIPSIL’s residual functions. The PBC will continue to be engaged in supporting the United Nations transition process. We fully support the Sierra Leone configuration’s proposed modalities for a lighter and more responsive approach. Other countries in West Africa share many of Sierra Leone’s challenges, therefore increased cooperation with them will be essential for Sierra Leone to tackle common threats. Australia sees great potential in a reinvigorated Mano River Union, which is strengthening subregional security, including through the establishment of cross-border security units along the common borders of its members. Similarly, the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States to address maritime piracy, which threatens regional prosperity, would be important for all the countries of the region. It will also be important for the United Nations Office for West Africa to continue to provide good offices and a preventive diplomacy role following UNIPSIL’s departure. In conclusion, I echo Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen’s comment that Sierra Leone’s remarkable progress is due first and foremost to the determination of its people to forge a clear path to peace. But UNIPSIL, and the United Nations more broadly, has been its absolutely steadfast partner, and the results of that partnership are now clear for all to see. We wish the people of Sierra Leone every success for their future.

I thank Executive Representative of the Secretary- General Toyberg-Frandzen for his briefing on the situation in Sierra Leone and for his work on bringing the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) to a successful close and in driving the smooth transfer of UNIPSIL’s remaining responsibilities to the United Nations country team. We would also like to express our gratitude to Ambassador Rishchynski, Chair of the Sierra Leone country-specific configuration Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), for his efforts to spearhead the PBC’s work in Sierra Leone. We also welcome Foreign Minister Kamara to the Security Council today. With the grisly images of the war that ravaged Sierra Leone still seared in our memories, today’s meeting is all the more remarkable. While many in Sierra Leone lost so much, we have witnessed how the victims of the war never lost the strength to rebuild their country. We are in the Council today to mark the official closure of UNIPSIL because of its determined work and the helping hand offered by the United Nations and international community to Sierra Leone. This has not been an easy journey, and we commend Sierra Leone for the distance it has travelled. Not only does the situation in Sierra Leone offer other nations embroiled in conflict a concrete example of how to rebuild from the most devastating of circumstances, it also offers the international community a promising example of the valuable role the United Nations can play in helping a country work through civil war and post-war crises. We remember not long ago when 15,000 peacekeepers were deployed to Sierra Leone to maintain a shaky peace. United Nations peacekeepers, humanitarian and development experts all deserve our praise for helping to foster the peaceful conditions that Sierra Leone enjoys today. Today, seeing Sierra Leone as a troop contributor, we know we have witnessed a great turnaround. Sierra Leone and the United Nations must be commended for their collective and collaborative successes. The Special Court for Sierra Leone, which the United Nations established, has fostered reconciliation by bringing the worst perpetrators of that terrible war to justice, including Charles Taylor. Sierra Leone also did the hard and slow work of rebuilding its Government with UNIPSIL’s help. We encourage Sierra Leone to continue strengthening Government institutions. We also encourage the Government to continue to seek guidance and support from the United Nations country team, focusing especially on much-needed economic development. Unemployed, uneducated youth leave a country vulnerable to unrest, as Sierra Leone learned all too well. Jobs and economic growth are key ingredients to keeping the hopes of the next generation alive. Ranked at the bottom of the Human Development Index just two years ago, Sierra Leone has already climbed 10 places, and we have every expectation that this trajectory will continue. The international community must continue to support that growth as well. Sierra Leone is a model post-conflict country, but we know that tensions remain and the underlying causes of war have not been fully addressed. The ongoing constitutional review process should be used to reconcile those underlying tensions. We encourage Sierra Leone to broach that effort cautiously and inclusively in order to ensure that all Sierra Leoneans have a voice in the process. Despite the many successes of the Anti-Corruption Commission and its transnational organized crime unit, corruption in Sierra Leone remains a deeply rooted problem that compromises citizens’ access to basic public services and institutions such as health, education and the police. Unfortunately, the public views the judiciary as one of the most corrupt sectors. The rule of law and public trust in the fairness of courts are essential to preserving peace. We strongly encourage Sierra Leone to redouble its efforts to improve the judicial sector to preserve the progress it has made. Sierra Leoneans will not face those challenges alone. The international community remains invested in peace and stability in Sierra Leone and will continue to offer assistance. The United States, for example, is launching a new $2.5 million, 18-month pilot programme in the region that will address corruption and transnational crime, most notably in Sierra Leone. Finally, we support the recommendation made by the Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission that Sierra Leone’s PBC configuration evolve to a lighter role over the coming year, as suits the situation in-country. We also support Ambassador Rishchynski’s suggestion that we review the PBC’s role in 2015, with a view to further refining and possibly drawing down the PBC in Sierra Leone. That potential drawdown should be carefully planned based on the situation on the ground, and considered when the time is right and sustainable peace is firmly in place.

I would like to thank Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, and Ambassador Rishchynski for their briefings. I also welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone to our meeting today. Currently, the overall security situation in Sierra Leone is stable. Its economy has developed quite quickly, and various social spheres have seen significant progress. China congratulates Sierra Leone on its positive achievements in its peaceful reconstruction. China appreciates the tireless efforts made by the Government of Sierra Leone in consolidating peace, promoting development, strengthening Government-building and facilitating social progress with the support of the international community. China hopes that Sierra Leone will continue to implement, in a comprehensive manner, its agenda for prosperity, steadily advance in its constitutional review process, defuse political tensions, eradicate the root causes of political tension and conflict and consolidate the achievements of its peacebuilding efforts so that all the people of Sierra Leone will be able to enjoy the dividends of peace and development. Since its inception, in 2008, the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) has maintained close engagement and cooperation with the Government of Sierra Leone and has played a positive role in, and made an important contribution to, defusing tension and potential conflicts, maintaining overall peace and stability and supporting the reconstruction and development of Sierra Leone. China highly appreciates the work of Executive Representative of the Secretary-General Toyberg- Frandzen, his predecessor and his entire team. UNIPSIL’s mandate will come to an end by the end of the month. This not only marks the successful completion of the transition from conflict to peace in Sierra Leone, but has also established a good model for the United Nations in helping other countries in post-conflict situations to achieve lasting peace and development. Its successful practices should be compiled and promoted. The success of the United Nations experiences in Sierra Leone indicates that, in conducting its peacebuilding activities, the United Nations should give top priority to the ownership and leadership of the countries concerned, fully respect their sovereignty and aspirations, provide assistance in priority areas identified by the Governments concerned and help in the development of a comprehensive peacebuilding strategy, taking into consideration the situation on the ground. Secondly, the United Nations should help the countries concerned to accelerate economic and social development and improve their peoples’ lives by addressing the root causes of the conflict. Thirdly, the Organization must assist the countries concerned in capacity-building in various fields and develop their capabilities in a sustainable manner so as to establish a solid foundation and guarantee for achieving lasting peace and development. A new page has been turned in Sierra Leone’s history. The country is embarking upon the road to lasting peace, stability and social and economic development and prosperity. However, Sierra Leone still faces many difficulties and challenges in terms of eradicating poverty, strengthening governance and promoting youth employment. It will continue to need the support and assistance of the United Nations and the international community. It is our hope that the international community, in the context of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, will provide financial support to Sierra Leone in advancing its development in various areas so that the country can achieve comprehensive development. China is ready to join hands with the international community and make its own positive contribution for an early realization of lasting peace and development in Sierra Leone.

We welcome Foreign Minister Samura Kamara. We are glad to have him in our midst today. I would like to take the opportunity of his presence among us to convey our very heartfelt condolences on the passing of the former President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. We join the Government and people of Sierra Leone in paying our respects to his memory. I want to thank Executive Representative of the Secretary-General Toyberg-Frandzen on his comprehensive briefing on the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). The Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), our colleague Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, deserves our greatest appreciation for the passion, commitment and remarkable dedication with which he has approached his task. Indeed, he is part of this success story. We commend the Government and people of Sierra Leone for their purposeful collaboration with UNIPSIL, which has culminated in discernable progress towards peace, stability and long-term development. Today, as speakers before me have noted, Sierra Leone represents one of the success stories of post-conflict recovery, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Three elements have emerged as the drivers of the success that we all applaud today in Sierra Leone’s transformation: political dialogue towards a constitutional review process and national inclusiveness, security sector support and the strengthening of human rights institutions. Those will constitute the focus of my comments. First, the close collaboration among the Government, civil society and non-State actors towards developing solutions to common challenges provides considerable inspiration and, indeed, a good foundation. That was particularly evident in the dialogue held during the constitutional review process. Such efforts promote understanding, political participation and capacity-building for governance institutions and are a clear sign of the country’s democratic progress. More significantly, they laid the foundations for the holding of peaceful and credible elections, which represent a milestone in the political history of Sierra Leone. The security reforms that have taken place in the country during the transition are crucial. We note specifically the establishment of the transnational organized crime unit and other regional initiatives, in conjunction with UNIPSIL, for combating national and transnational crime. We encourage the strengthening of such initiatives through the development of national institutions and capacity-building of the security agencies. That is even more pertinent as UNIPSIL hands over its functions to the State authorities later this year. As UNIPSIL winds up its activities, it is important to highlight the efforts of the National Human Rights Commission in establishing a framework that promotes accountability. Such mechanisms have contributed immeasurably to the creation of a relatively conducive environment for the protection of vulnerable members of society. In the same vein, we welcome the hybrid mechanism of utilizing the courts and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in fighting impunity. The most visible fruits of that effort are the considerable lessons that serve to address the issue of transitional justice. As other speakers before me have aptly noted, reconciliation is indeed possible after a protracted and bitter conflict. We applaud the steady and remarkable recovery of civilians from the socioeconomic collapse. We acknowledge the steadfastness of donors and international development partners, which have served as pillars of support. The onus is now on the authorities of Sierra Leone to consolidate those gains and to reinforce them by encouraging investment and the development of opportunities in the country. We are indeed pleased to support the draft presidential statement to be adopted at the end of the meeting. It not only speaks to the remarkable recovery of Sierra Leone but also is an eloquent testimony to the remarkable achievements of UNIPSIL. For that, we remain greatly indebted to Executive Representative of the Secretary-General Toyberg-Frandzen and his staff for their commitment and dedication in the success story of Sierra Leone today.

We thank Mr. Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, and Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, for their presentations to the Council and for their efforts and concern. We welcome the presence of Mr. Samura Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has almost become a successful pioneer in multilateralism. It has brought together the will of a people and its authorities in order to build a unified society in peace through the cooperation and assistance of various regional and subregional actors and the United Nations system, in particualr the Peacebuilding Commission. A common strategic vision identified the priority areas for assistance, which, together with international cooperation, made it possible to build national capacity and enabled the people of Sierra Leone again to find the path of peace and development. UNIPSIL leaves Sierra Leone with the satisfaction of having accomplished its mandate and in the hope that the lessons learned and good practices can be of benefit to other situations under the Council’s consideration. A crucial stage has come to an end. However, the task is not complete. Sierra Leone still faces challenges and outstanding issues to resolve. In order to cooperate with the authorities in such areas, Sierra Leone will continue to enjoy the support of the United Nations country team. In particular, the timetable outlined for constitutional reform, security sector reform, the conflict-prevention and human rights and rule of law programmes and the implementation of the property schedule must be maintained. Likewise, we must continue to address the issues of poverty, corruption and accountability. Such efforts must be completed so that what has so painstakingly been achieved becomes irreversible. The international financial institutions and the international community will be a fundamental pillar of this new stage. I would like to conclude by thanking all the staff of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone and of United Nations funds and programmes, as well as regional and international actors, for their dedication and work. We truly congratulate the people and Government of Sierra Leone on their readiness for and commitment to peace and development. My country welcomes the draft presidential statement to be adopted at the end of the meeting.

Allow me first to thank Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, for his presentation. I also commend the intervention of Mr. Guillermo Rishchynski, Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). I of course welcome the presence among us of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone. On behalf of France, I would like to welcome this historic time for Sierra Leone. I would like to focus on three aspects of the situation in the country. Since the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement in 2002, Sierra Leone has followed an exemplary path. The closing of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) is the happy conclusion of 15 years’ of United Nations activity in that country. Such success is of course primarily that of the people of Sierra Leone themelves, whose resilience and determination to rebuild their country after the crisis must be admired. It is also an example of the successful role of the United Nations in the stabilization. Since that time, the country has undergone three peaceful elections. The political situation is stable. Economic growth should continue thanks to the Government’s readiness to improve the business climate and to encourage key investments. Sierra Leone has therefore made significant progress on all fronts. The United Nations has contributed to that positive development by supporting the Sierra Leone authorities at every stage. I would like to commend the successful and steady management of the transition thanks, in particular, to the remarkable work of the United Nations team under the coordination of Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen. Lessons should be drawn from that success. Where possible, the United Nations should leave a clear path for the country to take full control of its destiny. However. as we know, Sierra Leone stil faces challenges. The constitutional reform under way is a historic step in dealing with the root causes of conflict in the country. The efforts of President Koroma to promote political dialogue should come to fruition. All sectors of society should talk and work together. The general elections of 2017 and 2018 will be a true test of democracy, and we will watch their smooth development carefully. The management of national resources could, unfortunately, be a source of communal conflict. Fighting corruption should therefore continue to be a priority for the Government. The United Nations country team should bear that in mind. Finally, the closure of UNIPSIL does not stop the international community from carefully following the Sierra Leone’s development in the years to come. In that regard, I am pleased to welcome the draft presidential statement that we will be adopting shortly. The Security Council calls for the international community to maintain its commitment over the long term to the consolidation of peace and development in Sierra Leone. The European Union is engaged in the country, as are the United Nations Development ProgramSAme, UNICEF, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization, among others. I would also like to note that the PBC is proposing a continuation of its work in Sierra Leone to a lesser degree. It can therefore support the Agenda for Prosperity promoted by the authorities of Sierra Leone.

First of all, I would like to welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, Mr. Kamara, and Mr. Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). We are also grateful for the briefing by the Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski. Sierra Leone is a clear example of the fact that human beings and communities are not condemned to failure and that it is always possible to pick oneself up from the worst tragedies and most difficult situations, such as civil war, which for 10 years led to deaths, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of persons and refugees, and the deploymen of 17,000 United Nations peacekeeping troops in that country. Clearly this did not come about by pure magic. What has happened has come about because of the resolve and perseverance of the people of Sierra Leone and the cooperation of the United Nations and the countries of the region. That is why today, as we close the door on a very sensitive and painful stage in the development of the country, characterized by recurring human rights violations and a serious humanitarian situation in which pain and suffering became routine, a promising horizon is emerging in Sierra Leone. Of course, there will be difficulties; we all have them. But at the same time, they will be peacefully addressed and resolved because Sierra Leone has managed to rebuild the rule of law. It has a Constitution and democratic institutions. It has been able to achieve peace within its borders, and it enjoys an extremely promising economic situation with a predicted growth rate for 2014 of 14 per cent of the gross domestic product. Its political leaders and its society are clearly aware that economic growth alone will not be sufficient, but that the best ideas and innovative practices must be implemented in order to guarantee a more inclusive, free and egalitarian society. Without a doubt, the situation has turned around and we hope that the Government of President Koroma and whoever follows him will continue along that path, which begins with the closure of UNIPSIL. We know that the challenges have to be dealt with in a timely and responsible manner in order to move forward. In that respect, efforts must be multiplied to overcome problems related to corruption, an evil that remains to be overcome with political decisiveness and efficient mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and the active control of society. That is essential in order to ensure that the people are once again able to trust their democratic Government institutions. In that regard, we welcome the recent announcement of the Government of Sierra Leone of its intention to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission. We know that corruption endangers fundamental rights, exacerbates marginalization, perpetuates poverty and affects the most vulnerable groups. The people and Government of Sierra Leone know that they must continue to fight the deep-seated causes that led to internal fighting and civil war for so many years. In that regard, the support of the international community and the cooperation of the United Nations, working shoulder to shoulder with the Government and people of Sierra Leone to help them to meet their national goals, are indispensable. Due attention should be paid and particular focus given to the monitoring and promotion of respect for human rights and the rule of law, the fight against poverty and inequality, implementing the corresponding reforms to ensure good governance, the eradication of corruption, support for the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, and inclusive dialogue between the political parties and various social partners. Those are key in order to consolidate the achievements made. It is very encouraging to know that, according to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/192), 70 per cent of the 1,800 cases that were submitted to the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone for consideration since it was established seven years ago have been resolved. The law on human rights that has been passed with the aim of ensuring the equality of women and gender equality, preventing, eradicating and punishing violence against women, and strengthening their political participation, in addition to other laws that the Parliament has approved with regard to the rights of the child and persons with disabilities, are also encouraging. We know that the Government will and must continue along the path of ensuring the rule of law, strengthening security institutions and taking measures, as other colleagues have said, to resolve the high level of youth unemployment. Sustained economic growth, the proper use of natural resources and the establishment of conditions conducive to investment will undoubtedly lead to the creation of decent jobs and reducing poverty, improvements in health and education, and inclusive conditions for the people of Sierra Leone. We know that those are Sierra Leone’s challenges, but they are also challenges in our own countries and as members of the international community. In conclusion, we believe that it is critical that the ongoing distrust among the most important political parties be overcome. While we recognize that the electoral cycles are coming to an end, we welcome the initiative of President Koroma to meet with the leaders of the political parties that are legally registered. We celebrate the successful handing over of power from UNIPSIL to the United Nations country team, according to the plan established for the transition. In conclusion, I wish to mark this noteworthy and exemplary moment. It reflects a key part of the success of the mission. The capacity that has been developed by UNIPSIL to break the vicious cycle fear in society and uncertainty among people that we have seen when most mandates of United Nations missions come to an end is praiseworthy. I wish to emphatically recognize how UNIPSIL approached the issue of finding work for local staff so as to ensure that it was able to ensure jobs for half of its local staff. We again thank the United Nations country team for its assistance to the Government in very different areas. We agree with the Secretary-General that the assistance of international partners is still needed, and we reiterate his call to shore up the funding for the poverty-reduction strategy in Sierra Leone, the Agenda for Prosperity for 2013-2018. Congratulations are also in order for the work that has been carried out by the Peacebuilding Commission and for Executive Representative Toyberg-Frandzen. We fully endorse the draft presidential statement before us.

At the outset, I thank Mr. Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone, and Mr. Guillermo Rishchynski, Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, for their statements. I would like to welcome Mr. Samura M.W. Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone. With resolution 2097 (2013), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) to 31 March 2014 so as to assist the Government in bringing to completion the efforts undertaken since its establishment on 4 August, 2008. During that time, we have observed positive progress overall, with a generally satisfactory situation, as underscored in the reports of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the mission and of leaders of the various United Nations agencies on the ground. Throughout its mandate, UNIPSIL has continuously worked to promote national dialogue and the freedom of the press, to strengthen the capacities of parliamentarians, and to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. One of the most outstanding results was the holding of peaceful and credible elections in 2012, for the first time in Sierra Leone. As a result of that positive development, on 21 October 2013 the International Monetary Fund approved the new 2013- 2016 economic and financial plan for Sierra Leone. With the sense that UNIPSIL’s work has concluded, the process of drawing down begins by addressing pending tasks. Its closure will mark the end of more than 15 years of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone. The broad success of the mission’s operations is due to the determination of the Sierra Leonean people to rebuild their country and to build peace. It has also been thanks to the commitment of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and his entire team, as well as effective cooperation between the host country, the United Nations and regional and international partners. The experience in Sierra Leone could serve as an example and shows that the international community can succeed and achieve positive results when all stakeholders work together to promote peace, stability, democracy and development in a post-conflict country. We thank UNIPSIL for having garnered this success for the United Nations, and we call on the international community to maintain its support for the Sierra Leonean Government in maintaining and strengthening peace in the country, taking into due account the priorities of the Agenda for Prosperity. In conclusion, we would like to express our support for the draft presidential statement to be adopted at the end of this meeting.

I would like to thank Mr. Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone, for his briefing and for the tremendous work he has done in ensuring the successful completion of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). I also wish to thank Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski of Canada, Chairperson of the Peacebuilding Commission configuration for Sierra Leone, for briefing us, especially on his visit to the country from 25 to 28 February, and for his dedication in steering one of the most successful peacebuilding processes. I also take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Samura M.W. Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and to thank him for the tremendous achievements registered by his country over the past 15 years. As UNIPSIL completes its mandate at the end of this month, we can say without the shadow of a doubt that, after 15 years of presence in Sierra Leone, the United Nations peace operations in that country have decisively achieved their goal of supporting Sierra Leone and its people. Despite the indelible scars left by the terrible civil war in Sierra Leone, the country has made remarkable progress, in particular in the security, political, socioeconomic and human rights sectors. We note with great satisfaction that Sierra Leone has successfully embarked on the path to sustainable security, democratic governance facilitated by strong institutions, respect for human rights and the rule of law, economic growth and regional cooperation. In this regard, we congratulate President Ernest Bai Koroma on his leadership and extend our congratulations to the Government and the resilient people of Sierra Leone. We especially commend President Koroma for his outreach efforts to promote political dialogue through his regular informal meetings with the 10 registered political parties in Sierra Leone. We believe that this will further reduce political tension and build harmony to the benefit of everyone, in particular as political space is increasingly being given to women and youth. However, as noted by the Secretary-General, Sierra Leone must build on these political gains and address the root causes of conflict, which are mainly related to poverty, corruption and political exclusion. In this respect, we call on the two major political parties in Sierra Leone — the All Peoples Congress and the Sierra Leone People’s Party — to build on the positive trend and resolve their internal tensions through dialogue. In this context, we welcome the ongoing constitutional review aimed at addressing issues of governance, human rights, natural resources and land tenure, but we call on all parties to conduct that process with diligence and to ensure public ownership through inclusive nationwide consultations. We note with satisfaction that the general security situation in Sierra Leone has remained calm and stable. We hope that the national authorities, with the support of development partners, will soon complete the creation of a national infrastructure for peace to prevent and address conflict, and also implement the planned project to cement the culture of seeking peaceful solutions. In the meantime, Sierra Leone needs to continue strengthening its coordination with countries of the region in order to counter transnational organized crime and drug-trafficking. We therefore welcome the close coordination with the Economic Community of West African States and the Mano River Union in efforts to tackle transnational crime, ensure cross-border security and promote stability. Furthermore, we commend the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its support to the Government of Sierra Leone in implementing the West Africa Coast Initiative to combat transnational organized crime. Our country, Rwanda, which had to face the terrible consequences of the genocide committed against the Tutsi 20 years ago, highly appreciates the tremendous achievements of Sierra Leone in addressing transitional justice through the hybrid Truth and Reconciliation Commission. While every country emerging from conflict follows its own path in dealing with post- conflict challenges, it is clear that experience-sharing among fellow African countries is of paramount importance to ensure permanent peace on the continent. We take this opportunity to echo the draft presidential statement to be adopted, which we endorse, and congratulate the Special Court for Sierra Leone on the completion of its mandate. Rwanda was honoured to be part of that process, having received convicts from the Court in our correctional facilities. Rwanda welcomes the positive socioeconomic advances in Sierra Leone, as well as the International Monetary Fund projection that gross domestic product will increase by 15 per cent in 2014 and by 12.4 per cent in 2015. In order to sustain peace and development and to create greater opportunities for all Sierra Leoneans, without any distinction, we encourage the Government of Sierra Leone to establish an attractive business environment and to combat all forms of corruption. In that regard, Rwanda welcomes the signing of the mutual accountability framework by the Government and development partners, confirming their commitment to working closely to strengthen Government-donor relations within the framework of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. Also encouraging is the fact that development partners have discussed the post- UNIPSIL engagement with the Government and agreed on the development partners’ continuing efforts during the transition, especially in support of the Agenda for Prosperity. As I said earlier, Sierra Leone’s success should also be attributed to the PBC configuration chaired by Ambassador Rishchynski. We commend the configuration for its activities and advocacy, and we support the proposed scale-down of the PBC engagement in Sierra Leone to a lighter and more responsive approach and the establishment of a small steering group composed of close partners of Sierra Leone. We believe that such a configuration will maintain international attention on Sierra Leone while preparing for the country’s smooth exit from the PBC’s agenda. To conclude, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen and the whole UNIPSIL team for a job well done in the service of Sierra Leone and the United Nations.

I would like to thank Executive Representative Toyberg-Frandzen and Ambassador Rishchynski for their valuable briefings. We also appreciate the participation of Mr. Samura Kamara, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone. I would like to join others in offering my congratulations on the progress made through the combined efforts of all parties concerned. The United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) is surely an exemplary case of the United Nations system’s effective coordination. Lessons learned through its activities should be shared and applied to other countries dealing with post- conflict peacebuilding. As we have witnessed, the determination of Sierra Leoneans to achieve peace and stability has been the driving force behind the progress that UNIPSIL, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and other partners have made so far. The 2012 elections marked a watershed in Sierra Leone’s political history. The two major political parties are now required to take on more responsibility for moving the country forward. We hope the political leadership will address the ethno-regional imbalance in order to further strengthen political inclusivity and social cohesion. With good governance and the rule of law, Sierra Leonean society can reach its full potential. In that context, we hope the Sierra Leonean authorities will continue to broaden their engagement not only with the political community but across the entire social spectrum, including with women and young people. The implementation of the Agenda for Prosperity is also a priority for the Government. Sierra Leoneans’ strong aspirations should be translated into sustainable development and prosperity. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed during his visit to Sierra Leone earlier this month, the United Nations should continue to stand together with its Government and people. The Republic of Korea also fully supports the consolidation of peace and the promotion of democratic governance in Sierra Leone.

First, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Council for His Excellency Mr. Samura Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone. I thank the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, for his briefing on the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) and his remarks on the remaining challenges facing the country as UNPSIL concludes its mandate. Since Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen has briefed the Council for the last time as Head of UNIPSIL, I offer my gratitude for his leadership in ensuring the successful implementation and conclusion of its mandate. I would also like to thank our colleague the Permanent Representative of Canada, Guillermo Rishchynski, Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration, for his briefing and his personal dedication and commitment to the cause. Lithuania congratulates the Government of Sierra Leone on the remarkable progress that has been achieved in post-conflict recovery, peace consolidation and democratic transition through the creation of a culture of the rule of law, accountability and political tolerance. As UNIPSIL completes its mandate, l would like to commend the effectiveness with which the United Nations, international financial institutions and regional organizations have contributed over the past 15 years to the peacebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone. Challenges remain, however. In order to further consolidate peace, recovery and economic growth, more must be done in the context of peacebuilding, reforming the security sector, fighting corruption and furthering robust, inclusive development. Lithuania takes positive note of the security-sector reform programme launched by UNIPSIL in January. We welcome Sierra Leone’s constitutional review process, conducted by the Constitutional Review Committee. The country’s development partners will be playing an important role in that process. For example, the European Union has been engaged in the process, with a particular focus on capacity-building, technical assistance to the Review Committee and other key stakeholders, civic education and communication and consensus-building activities. Lithuania also welcomes the Government of Sierra Leone’s recent adoption of the Agenda. for Prosperity. That prosperity should be built on successful reforms, strong economic growth, and, as many speakers have already noted, on combating corruption. I would like to encourage Sierra Leone and United Nations entities to continue supporting women’s full and equal participation in the country’s political, economic and social spheres. All political parties in Sierra Leone should encourage and empower more women to participate in politics and give them more opportunities to seek election to Parliament and key positions in it. We note the proposal to enact a gender empowerment bill that would give statutory endorsement to a 30 per cent quota for women’s participation. Similarly, civil society organizations led by women should be strengthened politically and financially in order to enable them to engage meaningfully in building the country’s future. Finally, a continued commitment on the part of the United Nations to peace in Western Africa remains essential. The engagement of the United Nations with Sierra Leone will be transformed as the country team takes over UNIPSIL’s residual tasks. The country team’s leadership will play a critical role in Sierra Leone’s post-conflict development. Likewise, as is stressed in the presidential statement to be adopted by the Council, the United Nations Office for West Africa will make its good offices available to the Government of Sierra Leone. Once again, we congratulate the people and Government of Sierra Leone on the progress they have achieved. As the Security Council continues to deal with pressing crises and conflicts, Sierra Leone’s story of recovery and progress is a much-needed and inspiring tale of hope.

I will now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Luxembourg. I, too, would like to welcome to the Security Council the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Mr. Samura Kamara. Luxembourg congratulates the Government and people of Sierra Leone on their exceptional accomplishments on the road to peacebuilding and economic development. Theirs is a success story indeed. I thank the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, for his final briefing to the Council in that capacity. We salute him and the entire team of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). They have carried out their mandate with dedication, effectiveness and professionalism in the allotted time. I would also like to thank Ambassador Guillermo Richchynski of Canada for his statement and for his exemplary commitment as Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). At the end of 12 years of support on the part of the United Nations in the wake of a civil conflict of the most violent kind, Sierra Leone has made remarkable progress. The efforts to consolidate that progress must go on, for such progress is never irreversible. However, we are confident for the future. We are confident that the representatives elected by the Sierra Leoneans will possess the necessary wisdom to avoid the errors of the past. We trust that they will be ready to consider the national interest above all else, remain open to their partners’ feedback, and find the necessary strength to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the country. The Agenda for Prosperity is ambitious. Its implementation is essential if Sierra Leone is to achieve its goal of becoming a middle-income country by the year 2035. To that end, Sierra Leone will need partners. Its long-standing partners have already heeded the call. For the next seven years, the European Union has already set aside €372 million, amounting to some $500 million, under the framework of the European Development Fund, to support Sierra Leone in the areas of governance and civil society, education, agriculture and food security. The European Union has also decided to support Sierra Leone in the fields of constitutional reform and capacity-building of its police force. In addition to official development assistance, Sierra Leone needs reliable foreign direct investment. Tax revenues will continue to grow. The economy must be diversified beyond the extraction of natural resources, which must take place under the necessary transparency so as to ensure that the income thus derived benefits the people of Sierra Leone as a whole. Efforts are also needed to prevent and resolve land disputes. Mutually beneficial arrangements for local communities and the private sector can and must be found. Despite the persistent challenges, including endemic poverty and the unemployment that especially affects young people, we are confident that the people of Sierra Leone will enjoy the long-awaited peace dividends. The signing on 4 February of the mutual accountability framework under the framework of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States was a sign of confidence, as is the continuing partnership with the Peacebuilding Commission. Luxembourg welcomes Ambassador Rishchynski’s proposal to adapt the approach of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Sierra Leone configuration in the next 12 months. Finally, Luxembourg commends the cooperation established by Sierra Leone among its neighbours in the Mano River Union. In October, the Union adopted a border security strategy that was drafted with the support of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA). The implementation of the strategy will enhance the fight against transnational organized crime and build peace at the regional level. We count on the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the Office for West Africa, Mr. Said Djinnit, and the UNOWA team, in collaboration with the United Nations country team, in supporting Sierra Leone in a continually evolving regional context. The leaders of Sierra Leone bear a heavy burden of responsibility, but we are confident that they will continue to follow the positive path that has been forged over the past 12 years. The end of the Council’s support represents a historic milestone. We thank the United Kingdom for preparing a draft presidential statement to allow the Council to duly note that. We wish great courage and success to the Government and people of Sierra Leone as they open a new chapter on the history of their country. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Let me start by congratulating you, Madam President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March and by thanking you for inviting Sierra Leone to participate in the debate on the final report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/192) on the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). I wish to convey, on behalf of His Excellency President Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the Government and people of Sierra Leone, fond appreciation for the invaluable support and unfailing interest of the Security Council, the wider membership of the United Nations and our international partners in consolidating our hard-won peace, security and stability to the point of being considered a historic success story of United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, has asked me to tender his apologies for not being able to attend this meeting himself to deliver this message to the Council on this historic occasion. “It is a pleasure to address the Council today on this epoch-making event marking the end of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone and the transition of the United Nations engagement in Sierra Leone to the new United Nations country team model. Prior to this meeting, we were honoured to receive in Sierra Leone, first, Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski in February, followed by no less a person than the Secretary-General on 4 and 5 March. The two eminent personalities came to join us in celebrating the wonderful transition in the United Nations mandate to Sierra Leone, defined by the residual and future roles of UNIPSIL and the Peacebuilding Commission. “We were heartened by their inspiring words about the remarkable progress our country has made, especially in identifying and resolving tensions and threats of potential conflicts, in monitoring and promoting human rights, in building peace and security, in consolidating good- governance reforms, and in undertaking the boldest ever sector-wide and nation-wide public investment programmes. “Those, together, provide for us the appropriate healing therapy for a country that has emerged from a massively devastating internal conflict, in terms of loss of innocent lives, displaced people and wide-ranging destruction of physical infrastructure. We are at the same time cognizant of the remaining huge challenges to healing. On behalf of the people of Sierra Leone and in my own name, I wish to reiterate our very firm commitment to sustaining our transformation. “About 23 years ago, war broke out in our beloved nation. The conflict brought out the worst hatred and criminality in a few Sierra Leoneans and their international backers, but it also inspired the best resilience in the overwhelming majority of our people. The great majority of our compatriots  — including members of the armed forces, the military, the police and the civil defence forces, as well as civil society at large — resisted the onslaught on their humanity. So many of our people suffered in the process, and so many were displaced, murdered and wounded, but they stood firm, held on to their spirits and ushered in a return to peace, security, democracy and civilian rule in 1996. But unfortunately, the struggles continued until the war was formally declared over in January 2002. “We were not alone in our actions for peace, democracy and security. Members of the Economic Community of West African States, particularly Nigeria and the Republic of Guinea, were among the first to join our resistance to the carnage. The United Nations, the United Kingdom and other friends of Sierra Leone later joined the concerted efforts to put an end to the carnage and ensure that our nation once again joined the ranks of peaceful, stable and democratic countries. “We have in diverse ways tried to honour the memory of the people — men and women — whose perseverance, dedicated service and sacrifice brought peace and healing to the nation. At this moment, I would kindly ask that the Council join us in remembering them in a quiet moment and to remember a strong pioneer for national peace and reconciliation, Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, former President of Sierra Leone, who passed away on Thursday, 13 March and was laid to rest on Sunday, 23 March. May their souls and the souls of all faithful departed rest in perfect peace. “Today, we are here to recognize a significant transition in our actions to move towards a democratic, peaceful, stable, developing and prosperous country. We have seen several United Nations transitions in Sierra Leone, commencing in 1998 with the transition to the United Nation Observer Mission in Sierra Leone, to monitor and observe efforts to disarm, demobilize and socially reintegrate ex-combatants while at the same restructuring the security forces. That was followed by the transition to the much larger United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone in 1999, which focused on the implementation of the Lomé Peace Accord, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, while continuing the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme and the resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction processes. That was then followed by the establishment of the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone in 2006, which supported the Government in consolidating the peace, security and democracy. That in turn was followed, finally, by the United Nations Integrated Peace Building Office in 2008. “UNIPSIL has been pivotal in many processes in the country, including furthering the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court for Sierra Leone; building civil society capacities and promoting political dialogue, human rights, good governance and the rule of law; undertaking comprehensive security sector reform; furthering gender empowerment; contributing to the holding of credible internationally recognized elections in 2012; and in transforming the Government-owned broadcasting service into an independent public service broadcaster, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). “The SLBC is still facing certain challenges, but it has been a worthwhile transformation. More than at any time in the nation’s history, there is now greater diversity of information and opinions thanks to it, and its reach is wider than in the decades before. Those are laudable achievements, but the partnership to improve its financial base, technical competencies and coverage must continue. “The transition we are recognizing today is a very special one. It is a transition that crowns with success all the preceding transitions. The goal of all the other transitions was to bring the country to this particular stage — a country that once received peacekeepers is now contributing peacekeepers to other countries; a country that was once a byword for humanitarian crisis now has one of the fastest growing economies in the world; a country that succumbed to military dictatorship has held a succession of free and fair elections; a country rocked by armed and uncivil divisions is healing itself, thanks to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the perseverance of our people and the commitment of the United Nations and our many international friends. That we are now inaugurating another profound shift in the core mandate of the United Nations in Sierra Leone, from peace consolidation to development, shows that the Organization has always aligned its actions with the aspirations of our people. “On becoming, President in 2007, I signalled my determination to move the country towards economic development and prosperity. The United Nations has been a valued partner in that transformation. The indicators of the transformation are more evident in every part of the country today than at any time in its history. We are constructing roads in our cities and towns. We are regenerating agricultural productivity and significantly re-establishing food self-sufficiency. We are ensuring greater access to health care for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children than at any time in our country’s history. We are providing more funding for education and seeing increases in school enrolment rates. We are promoting small and medium-sized enterprises and attracting large-scale investment and creating job opportunities for all. We are expanding the provision of electricity and ensuring that more women are in positions of authority in the Government, security forces and other key institutions and organizations within the country. “Now, we have taken a collective decision to move towards becoming a middle-income nation by 2030, in alignment with the targets of the United Nations sustainable development goals. Moving the target date from 2035 to 2030 was inspired by the Secretary-General himself. We have commenced the implementation of the Agenda for Prosperity, the first five-year national plan towards achieving the goal of middle-income status, and we welcome the alignment of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework with our Agenda for Prosperity. “As I intimated earlier, we still face formidable challenges going forward, but we are inspired by the commitment of the United Nations to support us in meeting them through its new United Nations country team. We also welcome the commitment of the United Nations to supporting our Constitutional Review Committee, the Political Parties Registration Commission and other good- governance institutions. A successful partnership is one that is underpinned by an alignment of goals and aspirations. We salute the United Nations for being an avid supporter of such alignments. “Today, Sierra Leone is addressing this body for the last time as a subject for its consideration. We have now moved from a country on the Security Council’s agenda to a nation that is a storehouse of lessons on how to successfully move away from war to peace and development. “With UNIPSIL’s closure, Sierra Leone is leaving fragility behind. We are improving our international risk profile as a post-conflict country and advancing confidence as a destination for quality investment. Those are valuable prerequisites for putting the very negative insignia of a blood- diamond nation behind us. We are now harnessing our diamonds and all our other natural resources for purposes of ensuring sustainable development and national prosperity. “Our people have shown determination and great dignity during all the transitions I have mentioned. We have built enduring partnerships for dignity, peace, security, democracy and sustainable development, and we remain committed to continuing to work with the Peacebuilding Commission and other partners to promote those overarching aspirations both in Sierra Leone and in the wider world. “We salute the leaders and members of the various configurations for peace, justice and development in Sierra Leone, including the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the Peacebuilding Commission, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Guinea, the Netherlands, Canada, and all other development partners, including Arab funding agencies. “The journey has been a challenging one, and there are remaining challenges, no doubt. But there shall be no turning back; we shall continue to be a force for peace in the world, a symbol of successful transformation and a partner for peace, security, democracy and development.” In closing, I should like on behalf of His Excellency the President, the Government and the people of Sierra Leone to recognize the sentiments and words of encouragement that I have received from all present here. I also want to recognize the good work of the outgoing Executive Representative of the Secretary- General, and wish him and his wife every success in their future endeavours. Finally, I would like to thank Ambassador Rishchynski for his efforts in undertaking the residual functions of the Peacebuilding Commission. He is still around, and I am sure that his heart is still in Sierra Leone.

After consultations among Council members, I have been authorized to make the following statement on their behalf. (spoke in English) “As the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) completes its mandate on 31 March 2014, the Security Council commends the remarkable achievements made by Sierra Leone over the past decade as well as its contribution to important regional and global initiatives. The Security Council further commends the effectiveness of the approach of the United Nations, international financial institutions, regional and subregional bodies and the broader international community to peacebuilding in Sierra Leone. “The Security Council welcomes the considerable progress that has been made by Sierra Leone in strengthening institutional and human resources capacities of State institutions, including in the security, justice and governance sectors, which play crucial roles in safeguarding stability and promoting democracy. “The Security Council also welcomes the successful presidential and parliamentary elections conducted in 2012, which have helped to consolidate Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions. “The Security Council recognises the important contribution of UNIPSIL in promoting peace, stability and development in Sierra Leone, particularly during the 2012 electoral process. The Security Council expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Mission and the United Nations country team, under the leadership of the Executive Representatives of the Secretary-General. “The Security Council underscores the importance of continued support to Sierra Leone as it embarks on the next stage of its development, beyond UNIPSIL, including the constitutional review process, and notes the willingness of the United Nations and bilateral and multilateral partners to continue, as requested by the Sierra Leonean authorities, to play a significant role in this regard. In addition, 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. “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 welcomes the adoption by the Government of Sierra Leone of the Agenda for Prosperity, covering the period from 2013 to 2018, and notes the importance of the implementation of this programme in accordance with the mutual accountability framework agreed between the Government of Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone’s Development Partners Committee in March 2013. “The Security Council reaffirms the important potential role of extractive industries in Sierra Leone’s economic development, and encourages the Government of Sierra Leone and international partners to strengthen protection of workers’ rights and national capacities for transparent regulation, oversight, and revenue collection from such industries, as well as to address issues of land ownership with a view to establishing mutually beneficial arrangements for local communities and the private sector, and calls upon the Government to tackle corruption. “The Security Council stresses the importance for Sierra Leone’s long-term stability of ensuring a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process in 2017. “The Security Council reiterates its request in resolution 2097 (2013) that the United Nations Office for West Africa make available its good offices to support the Government of Sierra Leone and the new United Nations Resident Coordinator as necessary. “The Security Council welcomes the work of the Sierra Leone Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. The Security Council recalls its request in resolution 2097 (2013) for the Peacebuilding Commission to review its engagement with a view to scaling down its role and welcomes the Commission’s shift to a lighter form of engagement for a transitional period over next 12 months, as outlined in its report to the Council (S/2014/211). The Security Council requests that Sierra Leone contribute to the work of the Peacebuilding Commission to gather lessons learnt and best practices. “The Security Council congratulates the Special Court for Sierra Leone on the completion of its mandate, recalls the strong support it expressed for the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone as it commences its functioning, and reiterates its call in resolution 2097 (2013) for Member States to contribute generously.” (spoke in French) This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2014/6. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.