UNMIL Drawdown Will Create No Security Vacuum - UNMIL Boss

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj, has assured southeastern Liberians that the departure of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Senegalese contingent will create no security vacuum. Ms. Løj gave this assurance when she awarded UN peacekeeping medals to 1,776 UNMIL Ethiopian soldiers in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County , close to Liberia 's border with Ivory Coast , for their contribution to peace and stability in Liberia .

Asserting that UNMIL's drawdown plan is being executed in a careful manner, the SRSG added that “the departure of the Senegalese peacekeepers has been carefully planned for and we have made the necessary adjustments. Our Ethiopian peacekeepers will adequately replace their departing Senegalese colleagues.” She reiterated that the UN has invested too much in the stability of Liberia to allow the gains to be jeopardized by inadequate security coverage.

The UN Envoy commended the Ethiopians for their efforts towards the maintenance of peace and security in Sinoe, Grand Kru, Rivercess, River Gee and Grand Gedeh counties since their arrival in Liberia over four years ago. She described the security situation in these areas, some of which are very isolated, to be significantly improved.

The UNMIL Sector IV Commander, who also commands the Ethiopian Contingent in Liberia , Brig.-Gen. Temesgen Abebe Kassa attributed the success of their activities to the support received from the SRSG and the UNMIL leadership, other UN colleagues and the Liberian people. He expressed happiness in seeing Liberians coming out of conflict and starting to engage in peace-building and development.

The Ethiopian contingent patrols Liberia 's border with the Ivory Coast , to deter any cross border illegal activities and provides security escorts for the Government of Liberia, the UN and NGOs to ensure that those living in remote areas obtain some services and feel the presence of the government. They also undertake humanitarian activities such as providing free medical services to needy Liberians as well as to UNMIL staff, and rehabilitation of access roads and bridges.

Attending the medal award ceremony were UNMIL Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, Brig.-Gen. Gulam Mortaza, Sector II Commander, Brig.-Gen. Ezekiel Olu-olofinmuagu, Sector I Commander, Ms. Stephanie Scheer, Officer-in-Charge of Mission Support, and Grand Gedeh County Superintendent, Mr. Christopher Bailey.