22 February Press Briefing

23 Feb 2012

22 February Press Briefing

Yasmina Bouziane, UNMIL Spokesperson, Mr. Moustapha Soumaré, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General

 
Near Verbatim
 
Yasmina Bouziane (UNMIL Spokesperson)
 
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press who are today at our Monrovia UNMIL Headquarters for today’s press briefing. And of course we say good morning to our UNMIL Radio listeners who have tuned in all over the 15 counties to listen to the press briefing.
 
We have the pleasure today to have with us the Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL, and you all have been writing about him in the press as the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of the United Nations operations in Liberia, Mr. Moustapha Soumaré. He will be speaking to you today on issues related to UNMIL transition process.
 
Mr. Moustapha Soumaré (Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL)
 
Thank you very much and good morning to members of press and to UNMIL Radio listeners.
 
It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here today in my capacity as the Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL. I would really want to take this opportunity to speak about a number of issues but in particular what UNMIL’s transition process means for the United Nations in Liberia and UNMIL in particular [and] for the continue support that the United Nations will continue to provide to Liberia.
 
Let me start by saying Liberia has made significant progress since 2003, although there are still several challenges that are still remaining, but we all appreciate that there is peace which has been for nine unbroken years. Last year also, and this is an important bench mark for us as a mission and for the Security Council; Liberia passed a historic milestone in conducting its first democratic elections since the end of the conflict. This was an important undertaking, you will agree with me, which demonstrated the will of the population of Liberia. And I want congratulate all Liberians on the peaceful conduct of these elections.
 
Liberians have demonstrated by that, that they can be in the driver’s seat and that they have chosen the path to sustainable development. That progress also is reflected in the way UNMIL supports Liberia today. When started the mission, UNMIL was on the first line. Today on all security issues, UNMIL is in the second line. You have first the security agencies of Liberia in the first line and then UNMIL comes to support in case there is a need to do that.
 
As you can see, it is a process that is ongoing. And in any process, change has to occur. So that is why we will be as UNMIL in the process of the transition gradually handing of some of the security responsibility to the appropriate Liberian authorities. You will agree with me that this is an important process which we will do in a careful manner, a careful planning; we also need ensure that Liberian institutions also in taking over have the capacity to also do what they will be required to do. The entire process will take time. It is not something that is going to happen overnight I do read some of the newspaper and hear on the radio that UNMIL departing, as if UNMIL is going tomorrow. It is a planning process.
 
As the Government begins to take on greater responsibility for security, the Mission will continue its work, but with a greater focus on capacity development. The process of transition is not [does not mean] that tomorrow UNMIL will leave but it is going to be a gradual process which will be accompanied with a strong capacity development; meaning, this is where the emphasis is going to be put.
 
Since Monday, we have in town the United Nations Technical Assessment Mission. The mission is directed by the United Nations Security Council. And people will always “ask why the mission today”; [well] … there are benchmarks, and this is not the first time that we have this kind of assessment mission. This is the third one. After each benchmark and in this case the elections have been one of the benchmarks to see how Liberia will go through the elections. We have gone through that in a peaceful way and the Security County has asked for this Assessment Mission to come and assess the situation.
 
The team will be headed by Edmond Mullet, who is the Assistant Security-General for Operations of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York. He will be coming this week-end, but already the mission is in town. They will be conducting a close assessment of the situation and this is going to be done with the Government. They will be meeting all relevant stakeholders; the civic societies, political parties, and at certain time maybe the media to understand what is going on, on the ground. They will be putting specific attention assessing the capacity of national security institutions. [Assessing] … not only the capacity [of the national security agencies] but also the ability of these institutions to operate effectively and operate independently.
 
They did not come with a preconceived idea. All their recommendations are going to be based on a real assessment in the field, what they will be hearing, seeing here in Monrovia, having discussions with the Government and the different stakeholders. It is important to note that whatever recommendations will be, which we think will go toward a gradual transition of UNMIL, it is important for you to know that the United Nations will still continue to work and delivered as one for the benefit of the Liberia population.
 
As you know, we all talk about peace but peace is really a share responsibility. It is not something we leave solely to the Government or to UNMIL. We all have to ensure that we work towards that. So every citizen has a role to play in that. When we say everybody coming in [together] for peace, this is where the concept of national reconciliation is coming in; people coming together making sure that they sustain the peace which has been consistently in the last nine years in this country.
 
We know there are many challenges out there and we thing that together, the national authorities, and the international community will all work hard to preserve the peace won and the democracy that Liberia enjoys since the peace accord.
 
Questions and Answers
 
Q:        Darius Zinnah. ( ELBC)
 
What information has UNMIL got concerning secret training in Grand Gedeh County?
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
I want to assure you that as UNMIL we take any information of that nature seriously and it needs to be probed. However we do that in close collaboration with the national security institutions. We are working with national institutions to probe those allegations if they are correct or not. In case they are right, with the national institutions measures will be undertaking. Of course, it is an important issue for the security of Liberia and as UNMIL we are taking it very seriously.   It is still allegations until it is proven and the process of investigation is ongoing.
 
 
 
Q:        William Selmah ( West Africa Democracy Radio)
 
Beside the Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) looking at the capacity of security institutions in the country what are other specific issues will they be focusing on?
 
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
It is really difficult to say because the whole idea of the Technical Assessment Mission is to do a reality check in the country so that they can assess the capacity and capability of national security institutions. It is really based on that suggestions will be made. As I mentioned earlier they did not come with any preconceived idea. There is a clear understanding and agreement that we need to make sure that we continue to sustain the peace in Liberia. So the idea is not to take any measure that will jeopardize the peace which has been won in a very difficult time.
 
Q:        Bobby Adddison ( Freelance Journalist)
 
During UNMIL’s drawdown are there plans to turn over the mission’s military hardware to the Liberia’s Defense Ministry?
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
Q:        Dominic Yuan ( In-Profile Daily)
 
You said earlier that UNMIL is still faced with challenges. Can you pinpoint some of the major challenges confronting the mission?
 
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
I will support also the security agencies. It is important that we also important that the support the justice system. For example, alleged rape it has to be tried. If the trial system is not done in a speedy way what will happen is that the same person will be out of jail or still in jail without being tried. So that why we feel this is an important role that needs to be done. That’s why I say now our role because more and more the security sector agencies of Liberia are really on the first line…we are on the second line. Our challenge now for UNMIL is that we mobilize the resources so that we can play that role of capacity building of the security sector.
 
Q:        Veronica Glay ( Public Agenda Newspapaer)
 
What can Liberians expect from the Technical Assessment Mission?
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
It is difficult to answer to this question. I would revert it actually: what I can say is that Liberians need to talk to the TAM about what are their situation and what do they see as being the best way of UNMIL transition. The President has made a statement during the Armed Forces Day when she said it is important now that the Government take fore front in strengthening the security apparatus so that they can prepare themselves better for UNMIL transition. As expected these are things that are going to be discussed. We hope that in the in the TAM discussion with Government they will see what will be the best way to make the UNMIL transition. I want to reiterate that it is important for people to understand that it is not something which is going to happen tomorrow. UNMIL is not going to pack up and go tomorrow. It is going to be gradual. It is that timing that will be discussed with Government. Again, I’ll say it is going to be based on a thorough assessment and the ability of the security institution to operate.
 
Q:        Moses Garzewon ( Liberia Broadcasting System)
 
You said UNMIL will now focus on capacity building for Liberia security institutions. Recently during the celebration of Armed Forces Day the President called for an increase in the number of military forces. How can UNMIL assist in that direction?
 
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
Capacity building of the AFL is an important issue because we believe that the AFL is going to be the one that will replace the force and that is why we appreciate the call that the President has made. We will do our part in terms of looking at our budget how we can increase and build their capacity. First of all what we have we will provide in terms of the Advisor in the mission who will do their capacity development work but at the same time I think it is important as UNMIL and as UN that we go out in terms of getting our partners to come in provide the resources. I know on the security sector there is a strong interest from partners because they see clearly that there is no way sustainable development can occur in this country without peace. So we will be working in term of the resources we have to build the capacity which is not going to be sufficient but we will go out in collaboration with Government to mobilize resources from external partners to build the capacity. It is going to be a challenge for all of us including from you the press because when you show that this is an important issue and it is written like that in the papers that can help us when we go to see the donors to explain that this is an important issue in Liberia. Don’t forget that everything you do is on the internet and the donors read them. So you have an important role on this as well.
 
Q:        Darius Zinnah (Liberia Broadcasting System)
 
The biggest argument is that Liberia peace is still fragile. From your standpoint is Liberi’s peace still fragile?
 
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
When we say peace is fragile you need to understand that Liberia has gone through a long period of war and all the essence of the security system is destroyed and it takes time. This is not something you can build over night and the threats are still there. The threats are not only people coming from other countries… the threats are also internal. We know that there are several issues in terms of the ex combatants, the potential of people being used . When you put all that together you will understand when we say fragile. It is unless you build up the entire base before you can say you have a system that really works. I will also add by saying that because of the war some of the traditional mechanisms of solving conflicts have been destroyed. Today we all talk about the “Palava Hut” the “Peace Hut” but it was working well before when the society was together but with the war and the divide the war has provided all these different systems need to be looked at. So the peace will remain fragile until the overall system is put together.
 
Q:        Darlington Pokah (Reality Newspaper)
 
If you notice in recent times your forces are confined to the counties capital? For example in remote areas of River Gee what is the reason for that?
 
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
On the decentralization of troops… you need to understand that in 2003 when we started here we had strength of 15,000 troops and then we went through a drawdown, and another drawdown and now we have a force of about 8,000. It is clear when you have a number like that you cannot be everywhere. So that is why we are in discussion with Government and we try to cover areas we refer to as hot spots. It can be at borders, areas where there is civil unrest and things like that. Most importantly the deployment of UNMIL forces is done in a way so that it can react quickly in any place in the country if anything happens that can breach the peace. Even with AFL it is not possible to deploy everywhere but they will be deployed strategically so that they can be able to intervene in a quick way anytime there is a security issue. You mentioned some areas of River Gee that the force presence is not visible… it does not mean they are not on watch. If anything happens, I am sure the national security forces will first go there and then we will support them.
 
 
Q:        Darlington Pokah (Reality Newspaper)
 
Just before the departure of the former SRSG this question was asked. There is an allegation concerning UNMIL forces harassing young girls. I am wondering whether an investigation is underway on the allegation.
 
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
On that we are very clear: in the United Nations we have a zero tolerance on any form of harassment and in particular sexual harassment. If it happens we will investigate and those who are proven guilty are going to face the law in the country. Some of the cases, if it involves a civilians it is done in collaboration with the national institution. For the military it is a bit different because we have a memorandum of understanding with the troops contributing countries there is a process but they have to investigate and provide a report. In the UN there is zero tolerance on that and a staff member can be fired because of that. It is not something we entertain.
               
Q:        Darlington Pokah (Shout Africa.Com)
 
Looking at the TAM… they were here in 2007, 2009 and now they are here. Giving the time interval between the assessment missions what difference is this Technical Assessment team going to bring in terms consolidating the peace in the country and the approach in consultation with various stakeholders?
 
 
A:        Mr. Moustapha Soumaré – Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL
 
Every time the Technical Assessment Mission comes to Liberia there is progress. Today Liberia is proud to say we have 2,000 AFL soldiers that they did not have back in 2007. They will say today we have over 4000 police officer which the country did not have then. So the whole system had improved. So the support from UNMIL will go downward while Government capacity will go up ward. That is why every Assessment team comes during a period where there is specific benchmark. The Election was one of the benchmarks and you have to be proud of the work your security forces did during the elections. LNP was everywhere. UNMIL was with them in some places but it was the LNP that was everywhere - conveying ballots and things like that.
 
Yasmina Bouziane (UNMIL Spokesperson)
 
If there are no more questions, I would like to thank you all for being here with us today and tuning into UNMIL’s weekly press briefing with the Officer-in-Charge of UNMIL, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of the United Nations operations in Liberia, Mr. Moustapha Soumaré.