Monrovia – Liberia’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Lewis Brown, II has told the UN Security Council that the country is safe and stable, assuring that the Liberian Government wishes to reassure the Security Council and the broader international community of its renewed commitment to take every measure necessary to safeguard the peace, security and stability.
Speaking during the thirty-second progress report of the United Nations Secretary General on the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Ambassador Brown said the Liberian Government appreciates the continued engagements of the Commission, remains committed to the Statement of Mutual Commitments on Peace building in Liberia, and urges international support for its successful implementation.
Ambassador Brown also assured that Liberia will continue to work to ensure the security and stability of its neighbors.
“The Liberian Government wishes also to reassure this Council, and the broader international community, of its renewed commitment to take every measure necessary to safeguard its peace, security and stability.
“We are keenly aware of the invaluable linkages we share, in this regard, with our sub-region, and will therefore continue to act to ensure the security and stability of our neighbors. These responsibilities we embrace with unrelenting dedication”, said Ambassador Brown.
Support to security institutions
Ambassador Brown further said despite the negative impact of the deadly Ebola virus and the current unfavorable economic situation facing the country, the government continues to provide support to relevant security institutions, challenging them to work together in ensuring the continuous peace and security of Liberia.
“This is why, although the forecasted growth of our economy has been largely weakened by the devastation of Ebola and the precipitous decline in the prices of our main exports, we have continued to prioritize and provide, within the limits of our means, support to the relevant security institutions, challenging them to work together, and with various communities, in ensuring the continued peace and security of the country”, added Ambassador Brown.
He disclosed that amongst other security measures, the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization continue to recruit, train and deploy into many parts of the country.
Similarly, Ambassador Brown noted that reforming judicial system, intended to improve access and public confidence, is also being extended to other parts of the country.
Economic downturn undermining programs
Ambassador Brown also told the UN Security Council that the current economic downturn facing Liberia has the effect of undermining the country’s ability to fully implement some of the programs that could further advance the country’s objectives.
“The current economic downturn has the effect of undermining our ability to fully implement some of the programs which could further advance our efforts toward these objectives.
These include accelerating the pace of the security sector reforms, as well as advancing programs of reconciliation, decentralization, youth employment, and local government reforms”, the Liberian diplomat admitted.
He furthered “The country is progressively changing. From a past of war, we are working for peace; from fear, we are experiencing freedom; and from hopelessness, we are becoming hopeful”.
Despite the difficulties, Ambassador Brown said Liberians are finding the strength to come to terms with, and are committed to working to avoid the tragedies of the dark past and are determined to embrace the promise of a brighter future of togetherness.
“Let there be no doubt: We are grappling with numerous anxieties and complexities to deepen a culture of democratic governance and change. This is made even more challenging by strains on available human and institutional capacities’, said the Liberian envoy.
Free, fair election 2017
As the country goes into electoral process in 2017, Ambassador Brown has promised that the process will be free and fair.
He expressed that in October of 2017, Liberia will conduct Legislative and Presidential elections and a successful election – one which is seen to be free, fair and credible by Liberians and the international community – will be critical to consolidating Liberia’s peace and democratic transformation.
“The Liberian Government understands the significance of these elections and is determined to deliver a process and an outcome that are inclusive, participatory, credible, free and fair. We, again, urge your support for these critical undertakings”, he appealed.
Providing an overview of the current political sphere, Ambassador Brown said currently, there are 23 registered political parties, each of which is a member of the Inter-Party Consultative Committee, a growing forum of political parties committed to work with the National Elections Commission, and other relevant stakeholders, to continuously explore avenues of cooperation and problem-solving in furtherance of maintaining a conducive and peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the elections.
On the current impasse at the House of Representatives, Ambassador Brown disclosed that a speedy resolution can be expected so that much-needed legislative focus and attention can be returned to the passage of a number of crucially enabling legislations affecting the elections and overall peace consolidation efforts.
Some of the changes expected, he noted include the possibility of a referendum on proposed changes to the Constitution, as well as a redefinition of land ownership and associated rights which, for the first time, will guarantee indigenous families and communities, their rights to lands on which they have always lived– rights that extend beyond those of mere squatters.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is currently serving as Chairperson of the regional bloc-the Economic Community of west African States (ECOWAS) and this, the Ambassador believes, is in recognition of Liberia’s rising.
Said Ambassador Brown: “In obvious recognition of Liberia’s rising, for the first time since the formation of our sub-regional organization, ECOWAS recently honored the Liberian Government and people with the current Chairmanship of its Authority of Heads of States and Governments. So, also, has the Mano River Union conferred its current Chairmanship upon our nation”.
Ambassador Brown served as Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism before his appointment as Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.