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Africa Subsaharan
UN to Wrap Up Sierra Leone Mission
2007-12-22
Occasionally the U.N., in its bumbling way, gets one right. Mostly thanks to the Brits on this one.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The Security Council voted unanimously Friday to wrap up the U.N. peacebuilding mission in Sierra Leone in September 2008, praising this year's democratic elections and efforts to professionalize its armed forces.

A U.N. peacekeeping force helped put the West African nation back on the path to peace and stability after a bloody 11-year civil war, which lasted from 1991 to 2002. But poverty continues to plague the country, which has some of the world's lowest life expectancy and literacy rates. The peacekeeping force was replaced in January 2006 by a small peacebuilding mission of about 350 people - mainly civilians - along with 14 military observers and 26 international police.

The resolution adopted unanimously by the council extends the mandate of the peacebuilding mission until Sept. 30, well beyond local elections scheduled for June 21. It calls for a staff reduction of at least 20 percent by March 31, the continuation of the mission at 80 percent of the current strength until June 30, and the termination of its mandate by Sept. 30.
Posted by:Steve White

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