UN SECURITY COUNCIL COMMENDS SIERRA LEONE'S JOINT

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000582 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC XY SL SUBJECT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL COMMENDS SIERRA LEONE'S JOINT COMMUNIQUE ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. On June 8, UNIPSIL ERSG von der Schulenburg told the Security Council that the April 2 Joint Communiqu, which calls for unity and rejects violence, was a courageous decision by Sierra Leone's leaders. He warned of youth unemployment and explained the UN's "Joint Vision" for coordinating UN efforts in country. Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister Bangura said her country was working to review its constitution, promote human rights, and restore the supremacy of the rule of law. Ambassador DiCarlo commended all parties for the Joint Communiqu and stressed that the Special Court for Sierra Leone needed to transfer its institutional knowledge to local authorities. Canada, as the country specific chair, said the Peacebuilding Commission will be aligned with President Koroma's national "Agenda for Change" framework for growth, economic development, and peace consolidation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) Executive Representative von der Schulenburg told the Security Council that the April 2 Joint Communiqu calling for unity and rejecting violence, in response to the politically motivated attacks in March, was a courageous decision by Sierra Leone's main political leaders. He warned of the potential for destabilization if youth unemployment was not addressed. Additionally, von der Schulenburg said the UN's innovative "Joint Vision" strategy would create greater efficiency for the UN programs in Sierra Leone. ¶3. (U) Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister Bangura told the Council her government had accomplished significant milestones in consolidating peace. She cautioned, however, that her country's democracy was fragile. Bangura also said Sierra Leone was working to review its constitution, promote human rights, and restore the supremacy of the rule of law. ¶4. (U) Ambassador DiCarlo commended all parties for achieving the April 2 Joint Communiqu. She stressed the importance of transferring institutional knowledge of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, as it concludes its work, to authorities in Sierra Leone. Additionally, DiCarlo welcomed the UN's "Joint Vision" strategy for the UN's future involvement in peacebuilding in the country and commended Sierra Leone's efforts in combating drug trafficking. ¶5. (U) All Council members echoed Ambassador DiCarlo's support for the Joint Communiqu. Canadian PermRep McNee, as chair of the Peacebuilding Commission's (PBC) Sierra Leone country specific configuration, said the PBC will be aligned with President Koroma's "Agenda for Change," the robust national framework for growth, economic development, and peace consolidation. Uganda, Burkina Faso, Austria, Japan, France, and Viet Nam also highlighted the potential threat drug trafficking posed to the region. RICE