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A Commonwealth election observer deployed in Sierra Leone for the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections

Peace-building in Sierra Leone tops agenda at Commonwealth-UN talks in New York

3 October 2007

The two sides agreed to closely co-ordinate their activities in Sierra Leone to consolidate peace and promote development

The Commonwealth has reiterated its longstanding commitment to Sierra Leone at a meeting on 27 September 2007 in New York with Carolyn McAskie, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Peace-building Support.

Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General, told Ms McAskie that he looked forward to working closely with the UN Peace Building Commission (PBC) towards consolidating political stability and promoting social and economic development in the country.

The Commonwealth sent a team of Observers to Sierra Leone for the recent presidential and parliamentary elections, including the run-off. The Observer Group's report said the elections had been credible, fair and peaceful.

The team also made recommendations, highlighting the problems of youth unemployment, the provision of infrastructure and social services, and corruption and accountability issues.

"We stand ready to work on these issues with the PBC towards our shared goal of promoting social and economic development in Sierra Leone," stated Mr McKinnon.

The Commonwealth has observer status at country-specific meetings of the PBC and has been in close contact regarding its work in Sierra Leone. "We look forward to strengthening that relationship," said the Secretary-General.

Since 1999, the Commonwealth has been engaged in peace-building in Sierra Leone and has observed all elections there since the end of the war in 2002.

In addition, it has provided technical capacity-building assistance to promote political dialogue and reconciliation and to strengthen the Electoral Commission, and has given support to local industries for generating employment.

The two sides agreed to closely co-ordinate their activities in Sierra Leone to consolidate peace and promote development.