Liberia yesterday hosted the newly inducted United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon as he concluded his two day official visit to the country.

The South Korean national and former foreign minister, had come to Liberia, he said to gain firsthand assessment of progress being made by the international community and the Liberian government recovery.

	• Mr. Ban Ki-Moon receives keys to the City from Mayoress Hoff-Saytumah, as the Vice President and SRSG Løj look on Photo: Christopher Herwig/UNMIL

Among some issues addressed while he was in the country, the third Asian to occupy the global body’s scribal position admonished Liberians against ever squandering the rare opportunity to resuscitate the country. 

He specifically warned lawmakers and authorities of the Ellen administration to put a halt to diabolical corruption and address the hectic reconstruction challenges facing the country.

Secretary Ban Ki-Moon urged the national leaders, especially members of the National Legislature to provide opportunities for all Liberians and therefore open a new chapter in Liberia’s history by putting the interests of the country and its people at the apex of considerations.

The Analyst’s Reporter Edwood Dennis followed the global leader’s address to the Legislature as well as the press conference granted the local and foreign media at the Foreign Ministry.
 
United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, ended his two-day state visit to the country yesterday with sobering caveats to Liberians never to squander the opportunity for national renewal as the international community has presented to Liberia to improve the country.

He said Liberians should endeavor to show resolve to pursue peace, end corruption and improve the economy. According to him, there are challenges in the way of significant development and reconstruction, but noted that the government in partnership with the international community is working to surmount the challenges.

Speaking at the Foreign Ministry yesterday, Mr. Ban recognized the generosity of the international community to continue to support Liberia’s recovery.

His statement preceded his address the National Legislature during which he also warned Liberians of acts that could back-peddle the progress made toward peace, reconciliation and development.

As did many other international figures that have come and spoken of Liberia’s efforts towards recovery, Secretary Ban said Liberia has made great strides in its recovery from conflict, but noted that there are still daunting challenges.

While saying that Liberia has made enormous strides, the UN boss however observed:  “More progress is needed in reforming the judicial and legal system and extending the rule of law throughout the country. More remains to be done in reintegrating populations affected by war and promoting reconciliation and national unity.”

More than that, he also observed that big challenges remain in reconstruction and development, noting that delivering the peace dividend in these areas is necessary to underpin the stability that Liberia currently enjoys.

Regarding the global phenomena of the surge in food prices, the UN Secretary General, in recognition of Liberia’s natural agricultural endowments, craved Liberia to demonstrate to the world that it has capability to not only meet many of its needs, and that it should endeavor to export food to the region

“I challenge you to reduce poverty and create jobs in Liberia by developing your agricultural sector,” he said while pleaded with the International community to help Liberia realize its potential in this area.

Apparently cognizant of Liberia’s role in the formation of the United Nations as one of the signatories, the Secretary Ban pledged the commitment of the world body in confronting Liberia’s obtrusive challenges.

According to him, the UN will work with Liberia to reach MDGs, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “We will work with you as you heal the divisions that tore Liberia asunder in the past. "We will work with you as you build a comprehensive national strategy for the future,” Mr. Ban pledged in his address to the Legislature.

Meanwhile, Ban Ki-Moon has called on the National Legislature to ensure that their work is done in the interest of the people.

Apprising their role as critical as far as getting Liberia on par with the international community is concerned, he said the world is looking to the lawmakers to modernize Liberia’s legislative framework to enable it combat corruption, create an environment friendly to investors, and instill principles of good governance in all branches of government.

“As the most representative legislature in the history of this country, you have a unique chance to build a national vision for a secure, peaceful and prosperous Liberia – one that provides opportunities for all its citizens. You have a mandate to open a new chapter in Liberia’s history, and put the country and its people first, before personal interests,” the UN boss challenged the lawmakers.

On the issue of the drawdown of UNMIL soldiers in Liberia, Mr. Ban confidently noted that the Security Council, in September of this year, decide on the next phase of troops drawdown, and that that will done after reviewing the progress made by the Government in meeting certain critical benchmarks.

However, the UN chief said his recommendation to the council on the issue of troops drawdown will be based on the government’s ability to assume full responsibility for its national security. He added: “Our common strategy goal is to ensure that Liberia has a solid security sector; one that can stand on its own feet before UNMIL completes its withdrawal.”

In other news, the UN Secretary General has commented on the debatable issue of “Traveling Ban” against former Liberian government officials, some of whom are members of the current Legislature.

According to him, he was aware of the issue but that it is the UN Security Council that has direct input on it with the involvement of the Sanctions Committee. Mr. Ban said those affected by the “travel restrictions” should raise the case with UN Sanctions Committee.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alex Tyler, on behalf of those affected by the sanctions and the Liberian people expressed the need for the review of the travel ban, to afford those concerned the opportunity to defend themselves.

Few years ago, several Liberians including former First Lady, Jewel Howard Taylor, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Martime, Benoni Urey, former Chairman of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), Chief Cyril Allen, former Aide-Camp to President Taylor, Momo Jibah, former Chief of Protocol at the Executive Mansion, Musa Cisse, and many others were placed under travel restrictions. The body accused them of close association with former President Taylor.

The UN Secretary General departed Liberia yesterday for Burkina Faso where he is expected to hold talks with the government of that West African nation.

Earlier, he described as pleasure his visit to Liberia as Secretary General of the United Nations. Ban succeeded Kofi Annan who served in the position for 10 unbroken years, the first black African to do so.

 “I have come to here to see first-hand the achievements of the Government of Liberia in post-conflict recovery, and to assure the people of Liberia of my strong commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of their country and to stress the UN determination to help them rebuild this important, history-rich nation,” he said.

That besides, the UN Secretary General said he cam to Liberia to place emphasis on the UN peacekeeping efforts and on highlighting progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).