The Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission Country-Specific Configuration to Liberia, Ambassador Staffan Tillander, with his delegation comprising a representative of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), has visited Grand Cape Mount and Bong Counties as part of his first official visit to Liberia since his appointment in April 2012.

The objective of the visit was for the Chair to observe first hand progress made and challenges remaining on the peace building targets specified in the Statement of Mutual Commitments (SMC), which is the official document defining Liberia's peace building priorities as well as the commitments made by the Government of Liberia and the United Nations System, respectively.

In Grand Cape Mount County, Ambassador Tillander held discussions with security agencies (both Liberian and Sierra Leonean counterparts) at the Bo-Water Side integrated border post, during which he was briefed of the security issues along the Liberia-Sierra Leone border. The Ambassador also toured the main border-crossing point and was escorted by Liberian and Sierra Leonean security officers across the Mano River Bridge at Bo-Waterside to the Sierra Leonean side.
During discussions with the County leadership in Sinje, the need for youth and women empowerment, skills training and adult literacy training was highlighted. The need to address the increasing number of SGBV cases and to rehabilitate the road network were other key issues recommended for urgent attention.

 At a forum with the Sinje Youth and Women’s Groups at the Sinje Youth Centre, emphasis was placed on ensuring that skills training and employment opportunities are made available to women and out-of-school youth. Ambassador Tillander also held a meeting with the Grand Cape Mount County Peace Committee (CPC) in the peace hut at Sinje. Members of the CPC briefed him on progress made by the Committee, including training of 1000 youth in leadership skills and peace building, as well as mediating and resolving community level conflicts.

Ambassador Tillander also visited the Regional Justice and Security Hub being constructed in Gbarnga, Bong County. The Hub is expected to strengthen the effective delivery of justice and security services to citizens in Bong, Lofa and Nimba counties.

The Ambassador toured around the Justice and Security Hub along with the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Rule of Law, Louis Aucoin; UN Police Commissioner, John Nielsen; Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs for Operations, Ranney Jackson; and senior Liberian justice and security officers from Bong County.

At the end of the tour, Ambassador Tillander described the Hub as an important effort to bring peace to Liberians and for UNMIL transition, noting the importance of the center where police officers, judges and others can make sure that justice is delivered.

Commenting on the numerous concerns Liberians had raised about some of the facilities at the Hub, the PBC Liberia Chair said, “it is a healthy sign that people are speaking out and giving their opinions about what they see because these are the people who are going to use these buildings,” adding that “it is part of the democratic system that people are voicing their opinions.” Ambassador Tillander also visited the Gbarnga Central Prison, where he had the opportunity to discuss challenges and achievements in the corrections sector with the Assistant Minister of Justice for Corrections and prison staff.

During his stay in Liberia the PBC chair also met with her Excellency, the President of Liberia Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Ministers and Heads of key institutions and agencies. Ambassador Tillander also attended a meeting with the PBC Joint steering Committee which is also the main body of Coordination, decision making and oversight related to the implementation of the SMC.