
Dennis Kabatto
4 February 2012

A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, announced in a statement released Thursday, that Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg – the Executive Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of its mission in Sierra Leone, will depart Freetown for New York on Monday, February 6, 2012.
Though, Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg’s assignment is officially scheduled to end in September 2012, with presidential and parliamentary elections taking place on the 17 November, no reasons were given for his early departure.
In the statement, UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban ki Moon commended Mr. Schulenburg for his “open and fruitful work with all sections of the Sierra Leonean society including political parties and stakeholders,” while expressing his appreciation for what he called an “excellent service” rendered during his tenure.
Mr. Ban ki Moon also praised Mr. Schulenburg for “his effective cooperation with the Peacebuilding Commission, and his initiatives in achieving greater donor cooperation and in improving overall aid efficiency for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.”
Mr. Schulenburg has been accused of favouring the opposition and declared ‘persona-non-grata’ by sections of the local media in Freetown.
On January 27, 2012, the Government of Sierra Leone issued a press statement, refuting claims of Mr. Schulenburg having been declared ‘persona-non-grata’ and of his recall to New York.
Mr. Schulenburg whose term as head of UN Peacebuilding Mission in Sierra Leone began in 2008, became a controversial figure after arguing against an inquest into the actions of ex-junta leader and current opposition presidential candidate – Mr. Maada Bio, during Sierra Leone’s civil war.
When asked about Mr. Schulenburg’s replacement, Zannina Maestracci, a representative in the Office of Spokeperson for the UN Secretary-General stated that as of now, no decision has been made to replace Mr. Schulenburg and that there is no new information available other than the released statement by the UN Secretary-General.
Editor’s Note:
Since then, the UN has attracted and secured hundreds of millions of dollars to help the country rebuild its infrastructure, develop its local economy and rebuild civil and public institutions.
Sierra Leone is the recipient of over $3 billion of international donor funds during the last ten years. The country has peacefully held two presidential and general elections since the end of the war, and is now preparing to stage its third.
Although there are still major economic and political challenges facing the country, yet there is hope, that the people of Sierra Leone will be able to now take, full responsibility in seeing through their democratic experiment, economic and public sector reforms needed, to ensure that the hard won peace is consolidated.
Fears of possible violence at the forthcoming presidential elections, must not be used as an excuse to prolong the presence of the UN in Sierra Leone.
Those determined to embark on violence as a means of achieving political advantage, will do so – with or without the UN’s presence.
What is needed is for politicians of all Parties, the National Electoral Commission, the Political Parties Registration Commission and the Police, to get together and work out an agreed concordat, spelling out the electoral campaigning and polling rules, including political behaviours which are not acceptable and the consequences for any breach.
This concordat must be kept under continuous review – collectively at regular meetings brokered by the civil society groups and religious leaders.
More has to be done very quickly to restructure the force to guarantee its independence from political party influence.
A Police Commission must be established quickly, to take strategic responsibility for police policy, and for determining and monitoring the rules of engagement used by the police.
The Commission will also be responsible for appointing and overseeing the work of all senior officers of the force.
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