The NEWS (Monrovia)
14 December 2007
The outgoing head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Alan Doss, has declared that the security situation in the Mano River Union (MRU) region has stabilized and the people of the region are moving towards economic growth and development.
He recalls that seven years ago, the region was one of the most insecure places on the continent, but today, he said, security situation has improved tremendously.
"When I came to West Africa seven years ago, it was being described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world by former UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
However, seven years on, nobody is describing the MRU region in those terms," Mr. Doss told journalists Thursday at a news conference to bid the people of Liberia farewell.
The UN envoy, who is taking a new assignment in DR Congo as head of the UN Mission there, said although there's continuing uncertainty in Guinea, however, the people of that country are working their way through their situations.
Mr. Doss pointed out that next year will be an important period in Cote d'Ivoire with elections coming up.
He warned Liberians not to pursue a violent path as a way of addressing problems confronting them, stressing "violence begets violence," an apparent reference to the situation in Firestone.
"Nevertheless, when you look back at what this region was in 2000-2001, and when you look at it today, there has been tremendous progress; this is a region largely at peace, people are beginning to rebuild their lives, and the region is beginning to know economic growth and development," Mr. Doss said.
The UN envoy noted that the UN peacekeeping force, international donors and partners have helped to make a difference in restoring peace and stability to the MRU region.
"People of the region have said they want peace and get on with their lives and I hope they will keep saying that all of the time " Doss added.
Mr. Doss, a distinguished career diplomat, took over as head of the UN Mission from retired Air Forced General Jacque Klein in 2004.
He had previously served as head of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire before coming to Liberia.
He leaves for DR Congo, a country considered as a hostile environment, where government troops are trying to repel rebel onslaught.
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