The Liberia National Police (LNP) has given special recognition to two astute personalities, Out-going Assistant Secretary General/UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia Yacoub El Hillo and Mr. Ulf M. Strahl, Project Manager of the Swedish Police Authority Bilateral Support Project.
According to an LNP press statement, the two counterparts were honored during a farewell ceremony at the LNP Headquartersofficials on Friday, 9 August for their dedicated services to support its works and other security agencies in Liberia.
Police Inspector General Col. Patrick T. Sudue has recounted the numerous contributions made by Amb. Yacoub El Hillo to the security sector of the Republic of Liberia during the era of the United Nations Mission in Liberia and after the UN draw down here.
According to Col. Sudue, Mr. El Hillo was one of the personalities who worked with the LNP to amicably resolve most of the protests in recent times and promised the continuous relationship between the LNP and his office.
Additionally, the Police Inspector General extends gratitude to the Swedish Police Authority Bilateral Support Project Manager, Mr. Ulf M. Strahl and acknowledged the assistance of the Swedish government towards capacity building for the LNP’s forensic section that was organized by the Swedish Police Authority (SPA).
Col. Sudue explains that the SPA has also constructed comfort facilities for Police Zones 6, 8 and 10 which are intended to accommodate victims of sexual gender – based violence.
Also gracing the occasion, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, General Prince C. Johnson praised Mr. El Hillo for his dedicated services rendered the security Sector during and after the UNMIL draw down.
General Johnson also praised the UN through its outgoing envoy for the numerous supports to the AFL during his tenure.
He recalls the construction of several duty stations across the country.
In his response to the honor by the LNP Mr. El Hillo says he feels very privileged to have served the UN Mission in Liberia for the second time, especially leaving the country in a peaceful condition.
He further adds that Liberia has graduated from being a recipient of peacekeeping support to a donor of peacekeeping support.
He recounts a recent time when the political atmosphere was very charged here, adding that the situation was amicably handled without any blood share.
He prays that the people of Liberia will no more taste any form of war, promising to come back to Liberia one day as a tourist.
For his part, Mr. Ulf M. Strahl thanks Col. Sudue for the cordial working relationship he enjoyed over the years while assigned at the LNP.
As a sign of his deep appreciation, he presented a gift to the Col. Sudue which serves as a reminder of the love and contributions of the Swedish Police to the Liberia National Police.
In further remarks, other heads of Joint Security institutions praised the out-going UN boss and promised to work harder in protecting the peace and security of the state.–Press release
