NEC extols SRSG, other UN officials

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has extolled the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for the valuable contributions made to Liberia’s recovery process.

The Commission gave special recognition to UNMIL’s contribution to Liberia’s recovery process during a farewell program organized Wednesday, 21 March in Monrovia in honor of UN Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Mr. Farid Zarif and other UN officials at Bella Casa Hotel.

Mr. Zarif and UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General for Political and Rule of Law Mr. Waldemar Very, and UN Special Representative for Peace and Consolidation Mr. Yacoub El Hillo were among the honorees.

The three outgoing distinct international UN officials received from the NEC separate Liberian masks representing three of the political subdivisions here as the commission’s way of appreciating their hardwork and tranmendous contribution to Liberia.

In a citation, NEC Commissioner Davidetta Brown Lassana recalled that since 2003, UNMIL has effectively and effeficiently contributed to peace and stability and the consolidation of good governance and democracy through supports.

The citation also catalogues UNMIL’s support to the commission which made the NEC to constitutionally execute its mandate of delivering free, fair and credible elections.

The commission further made specific recognition of the critical support that UNMIL provided NEC especially during the Ebola crisis while the commission was preparing to conduct the 2014 special senatorial election.

The statement further recognizes UNMIL for flagging support and engaging various branches of Government including security institutions, political parties, media and civil society organizations which created a peaceful environment for the conduct of transparent and credible election.

According to NEC, UNMIL also conducted institution capacity building and the promotion of gender equality through women support during the 2017 election.

The commission then thanked UNMIL and its partners for remaining transparent, impartial and contributing to Liberia’s democracy and good governance.

Speaking earlier, NEC Chairman Cllr. Jerome George Korkoya applauded the significant and valuable contribution the honorees and the UN Mission made to Liberia especially the NEC, thus making its work successful.

Cllr. Korkoya expressed gratitude to local and international partners who also helped to enhance the work of the Commission during difficult period.

He says NEC will remember the many contributions of the outgoing UN officials for their commitment, dedication to service and the recovery of lasting peace and reconciliation through support to the holding of transparent and democratic elections here.

By Emmanuel Mondaye–Edited by Winston W. Parley