IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia- 23 March 2018: After several attempts of a planned drawdown process, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has finally announced its official exit from the west African nation, Liberia.
The vising team headed by Amina j. Mohammed, deputy secretary general of the United Nations, is comprised of Ambassador Olof Skoog, chairman on UN peacekeeping commission, Fernandez Taranco, assistant UN secretary general and ambassador Lewis Browne. .
Speaking Thursday March 22, 2018 during a press stake out at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN deputy secretary general indicated that the visiting UN delegation is happy to concluded Liberia`s peace keeping mission, which according to her is one of the successful peace keeping missions in the history of the organization.
She added that the visiting team held a constructive discussion with government officials, cabinet ministers, civil society actors, young people and parliamentarians.
“Today is a special program for the journey which we began the UN mission in Liberia, which is one of the successful peacekeeping missions, is coming to a close in the west African nation” the UN envoy said.
Given the historicity, the UN envoy noted that the mission was deployed in 2i003 in a failed state, a state which was in ruin, with non-existent economy and poor infrastructure.
She used the occasion to express the world body`s commitment to not only maintain the gains but to also ensure that the country meets its development goals as enshrined in the sustainable development goals and that of the African continent development agenda.
For his part, President George Manneh Weah lauded the men and women in the blue helmet for their bravery and stewardship in maintaining peace in the country.
He added that sat the end of the 15 year stay, UN troops were not only here to keep peace but were felt in all aspects of the society and daily lives of Liberians that will never be forgotten.
President Weah emphasized that the discussions with UN and troops were fruitful and welcoming.
He also commended gallant men and women of UNMIL collaborating with Liberia during the peaceful political transition that ushered in one democratically elected government to another.
“I thank the UN for its support to Liberia, and we want to reassure you of my government`s commitment to the consolidation of peace in Liberia and the UN system,” the president added.
