IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia-25 March 2018: At the launch of the country’s new National Development Plan in the capital, Monrovia, Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, congratulated all Liberians on a hard-won peace after 15 conflict-torn years and the progress made during the subsequent post-war period.

She, however, outlined that along with opportunities, serious challenges lie ahead.

“When I look at the young women and men, and the initiatives for peace that they have courageously carried forward, sometimes even risking their lives, I am filled with pride and hope but also with fear,” said Ms. Mohammed, noting severe economic constricts in the country and high unemployment among its youth.

“We cannot fail them. We must […] empower them, […] meet their needs and expectations, and help them to fulfill their dreams,” she added.

Applauding the country’s new development framework, dubbed the Liberia Moment, Ms. Mohammed underlined five principles that must underpin the Plan.

These include national ownership; eliminating poverty; improve tax and revenue collection, strengthen rule of law, and end dependency on aid; enhance transparency; and ensure predictable and sustainable means for development financing.

UN deputy chief Mohammed: “When I look at the [courageous] young women and men, I am filled with pride and hope but also with fear”.

 She also underscored the need to consolidate peace and avid a relapse into conflict, and in doing so reiterated the importance of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the best tools we have to prevent conflict and we should make every effort to achieve them without delay,” she said, noting that the UN stands ready to provide the Government with advice, expertise and support needed.

“We will be with you every step of the way. This is our commitment,” said the Deputy Secretary-General.

Liberia, went through two civil wars spanning over 14 years between 1989 and 2003. Civil war in Liberia claimed the lives of almost 250,000 people and led to a complete breakdown of law and order.

The UN mission, known as UNMIL, was established by the UN Security Council in 2003 after a peace agreement was signed to end the fighting. The mission created a security environment that enabled more than a million refugees and displaced persons return to their homes; supported the holding of three presidential elections, and helped the government establish its authority throughout the whole country following years of fighting and instability.

Meanwhile, as part of the closure of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) its official radio station, UNMIL Radio – which had been broadcasting since October 2003 to over 80 per cent of the country’s population – will transfer to Radio ECOWAS, the radio station operated by the Economic Community of West African States.

In a related development As the UN mission in Liberia successfully completes its mandate, the role of an all-female contingent of peacekeepers from India deployed with it is being highlighted for inspiring women in the West African nation to become police officers.

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established by the Security Council in 2003 and will officially close at the end of this month, successfully completing its mandate after almost 15 years of supporting the West African nation in the transition to peace and democracy.

At a ceremony in Monrovia on March 22 attended by President George Weah, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed lauded the accomplishments of the United Nations mission.

During UNMIL’s nearly 15-year mandate, dozens of countries from around the world deployed troops and police, with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Sweden, Ireland and the US making “significant contributions” to peacekeeping in the country, a statement by UNMIL said.

It also lauded the role of the 125-strong women peacekeepers of the Indian Formed Police Unit deployed with the UN mission, saying the Indian women police personnel inspired Liberian women to join the police force.

“To spur women’s empowerment, UNMIL led by example, becoming the first UN peacekeeping operation to have an all-female contingent thanks to India’s deployment of a formed police unit (FPU) from 2007 until 2016.

The Indian policewomen served as role models for Liberia’s women and girls, triggering a fourfold increase in the number of Liberian women applying to become police officers,” the UNMIL said.

Mohammed celebrated the successful closure of the UN mission, which she said set the stage for sustained peace in the months and years ahead.

She pointed out that the UN peacekeepers leave behind a country that has great potential for lasting peace and stability.

“UNMIL helped to disarm more than 100,000 combatants, and protected millions of civilians; helped to rebuild the police, the security services and other institutions; facilitated the provision of humanitarian aid; and supported the development of national capacity to promote and protect human rights,” she said.

The Deputy Secretary-General lauded progress while acknowledging the remaining challenges.

“Peace will not last without sustainable development; and development gains will be at risk without sustained peace. Many Liberians are still waiting for the anticipated dividends of peace. Some of the root causes of conflict remain to be addressed, including poverty, youth unemployment, illiteracy and lack of infrastructure. We need to give Liberians back their dignity, dreams and faith in a better future,” Mohammed said.

She also paid special tribute to the 202 peacekeepers who lost their lives in pursuit of peace in Liberia.

“Today, we remember their sacrifice”.

On behalf of the Liberian authorities, Weah said: “UN has positively impacted the lives of Liberians as well as every fabric of the Liberian Society since its arrival in 2003.

” He acknowledged the hope the UN has given Liberians adding, “Liberia has to protect and sustain the peace”.

The statement said that UNMIL created a security environment that enabled more than a million refugees and displaced persons return to their homes; supported the holding of three presidential elections, and helped the government establish its authority throughout the whole country following years of fighting and instability.

The conflict in Liberia took a horrific toll in terms of gender-based violence, with estimated 80 percent of women and girls affected.

However as soon as the UN mission was deployed, it prioritized the empowerment of women – to vote, to run for office and to join the police and other rule of law institutions, the statement said.