Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara is requesting that the United Nations Mission in Liberia’s (UNMIL) presence remain in the country until after the 2017 presidential and legislative elections are held. 

According to a Foreign Ministry release, Madam Kamara made the assertion recently when New Zealand’s Special Representative for West Africa, Mr. Charles Kingston, paid her a courtesy call. He was visiting to acquaint himself with the political and security situation in Liberia in the phase of the UNMIL’s drawdown.

During the meeting the two diplomats exchanged views on critical bilateral and multilateral issues particularly regarding development taking place in Liberia and the sub-region. 

While welcoming her guest to the Ministry, Foreign Minister Kamara applauded the UN Mission and the entire international community for the numerous assistance rendered Liberia during the difficult period of the country’s history, adding, “I think they have done a great job by investing hugely aimed at restoring peace and stability to Liberia.”  

She noted that Liberia appreciates all that the international community has done for Liberia including financial and logistical support that brought the nation this far. The Minister added that with the level of gains made here, it would be prudent for the international community to keep eyes on Liberia at this critical time of UNMIL’s phased withdrawal from Liberia. 

“The key desire now is to see how to provide maximum protection for all the Liberian citizenry as the country goes through the democratic transition,” the minister stated. 

She stressed that not only did Liberians enjoy maximum protection from UNMIL, the Mission also provided training and inspired Liberian security forces, stating further that Liberians would like to see that kind of UNMIL presence here at this critical time of the democratic transition.

For his part, the New Zealand Special Representative for West Africa, Mr.  Charles Kingston, said he was very happy to be in Liberia and to acquire from the Liberian Foreign Minister how she sees and appreciates peace and security in Liberia as UNMIL phases out of the country.  

He expressed gratitude and appreciation to Liberia for its support to his country especially in promoting its interests at various UN fora. He added that his country will forever remember Liberia’s role in promoting New Zealand’s interests at the level of the United Nations.

The New Zealand diplomat said he came to Liberia primarily to ascertain from the government what requests it has to put before the United Nations Security Council and to see what possible assistance New Zealand can offer in that direction especially as the country takes over its own security responsibility.

He also commended Liberia for the many achievements it has made under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  While in Liberia, the New Zealand diplomat said he will visit   Firestone, Margibi County where he said his biological father worked before the outbreak of the civil conflict in Liberia.