UN Technical Mission Assesses Peace Process in Sierra Leone
A team from the United Nations Technical Assessment Mission to Sierra Leone is in the country to assess the status of United Nations Integrated Peace Building Institutions in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) and make recommendations to the UN Secretary General, APA learned Friday.
In his introductory statement, the Deputy Executive Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone Berhanemeskel Nega said the team from New York on Wednesday met with the Chairman of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC).
The Public Relations Officer of PPRC, the recommendations will be brought to the attention of the United Nations Security Council.
During his discussions with the Chairman of the Commission, the head of the delegation who is also the Deputy Director Africa Division, Department of Political Affairs, Bruno Mpondo informed the Chairman that they were in Sierra Leone to assess progress made towards the furtherance of democracy and peace in the West African nation. He said their visit will help them in assessing further possible UN assistance to Sierra Leone. He informed the Commission that the delegation had met with key stakeholders who included the President and political parties, among others.
Briefing the delegation, the Chairman of PPRC Justice M.E. Tolla Thompson spoke on the relevance of UNIPSIL and the Peace Building Fund (PBF) support to the work of the Commission. This support he said helped in providing support for inter and intra-party dialogue sessions during the electioneering process, the signing of the 2012 Elections Declaration, support to the All Political Parties Youth Association and the All Political Parties Women’s Association.
Tolla Thompson said the project also supported the training of political party agents, the tour of political parties’ representatives to Ghana and the provision of vehicles, motor bikes, bicycles and office equipment to political parties.
On the challenges for political parties, Tolla Thompson informed the delegation that there is the need to strengthen the internal structures, organization and the financial base of political parties. He said there is also the urgent need to bridge the communication gap between the leadership of political parties and their members.
Source African Press Agency
African News from NetNewsPublisher.com
Category: Africa
