Beyond WorkBlack Sunday ......... Pg. 6

Behind The ScenesRRR Winds Down......... Pg. 9

Around Liberia Orator Speaks ...............Pg. 11Inside This Issue

TodayJuly 2009 Volume 6, Issue 2

UNMIL

reconciliation will be community-based, Mensa-Bonsu said: “Itis now time to send a clear message that targeted assistance toex-combatants has ended and that, from now on, assistanceshould be extended to the entire community, rather than to aspecial section.”

The CPA, which was signed in late 2003 in the Ghanaiancapital, Accra, called upon the UN to assist Liberia with theDDRR of ex-combatants. Through the framework of a JointImplementation Unit, the UN family closely collaborated with,supported and assisted the National Commission forDisarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration andRehabilitation in a tremendous logistical, financial and imple-mentation operation that sought to rehabilitate ex-combatantsand reintegrate them into society. The United Nations Missionin Liberia (UNMIL) has been actively involved with the DDRRprocess from disarmament to reintegration during which peace-keepers travelled throughout Liberia in an effort to make com-munities once again safe for all. The Reintegration,Rehabilitation and Recovery (RRR) Section served as the focalpoint within UNMIL for the DDRR process.

Reminding all that reintegration is a continuous and long-term process, the DRSG cited unemployment as one of thegreatest among the remaining challenges which national part-ners will need to overcome. “Sustained efforts are needed toaddress unemployment and related factors of insecurity, and toopen up more avenues for economic survival and for self-actu-alization,” said the deputy envoy, assuring the gathering thatUNMIL will continue to work with other UN agencies and var-ious national and international partners to help the governmenttowards peace and stability in Liberia.

DDRR Wraps up

Almost six years after the signing of theComprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ledto the restoration of peace and stability, Liberia’sDisarmament, Demobilization, Reintegrationand Rehabilitation (DDRR) programme has

been closed.President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announced the formal clo-

sure of the programme at the Centennial Pavilion in downtownMonrovia in July. Noting that the success of the DDRR pro-gramme is a testimony to the return of peace and security, theLiberian leader acknowledged the contribution of multilateraland bilateral institutions towards the DDRR process and for theconsolidation of peace and promotion of democracy.

The programme, funded through a Multi-Donor Trust Fund,succeeded in disarming 103,019 ex-combatants and demobiliz-ing 101,495 ex-combatants who participated in the country’s14-year divisive civil war. About 98, 000 of the demobilized ex-combatants received reintegration assistance in the form ofvocational training and formal education.

In her remarks, Deputy Special Representative for Rule ofLaw Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu reiterated that the end of theDDRR programme is a sign of progress in the peace and recov-ery process. “Liberia has made substantial strides towards con-solidating peace and stability and the time for targeted assis-tance to ex-combatants has passed,” stressed the deputy UNenvoy. She expressed appreciation to all the international part-ners who supported the Liberian Government and all the rele-vant stakeholders throughout the process and provided the req-uisite funds to implement the programme.

Pointing out that all future efforts towards reintegration and

Ellen Margrethe Løj of a tree planting campaign in Monrovia,the exercise is gaining momentum in the sectors. We bring youstories of UNMIL personnel and local communities embracingthe tree planting campaign in Tubmanburg and Kakata.

We head to the sectors to bring you stories of how peace-keepers are rendering services to Liberians beyond their call ofduty in places like Buchanan, Gbarnga and Ganta, and leavingthe shores of Liberia, we check-in with MOVCON in Accra.

How do you deal with a deaf and dumb person who showsup at a police station to report an alleged assault? We bring youthe heart warming story of a female UN Police officer adept atsign language who was there to help the victim narrate herstory.

Happy reading!

Mathew Elavanalthoduka

The Disarmament,D e m o b i l i z a t i o n ,Rehabilitation and

Reintegration (DDRR) programmein Liberia has been formally closed.President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf saidthe success of the programme is anattestation of the return of totalpeace and security to Liberia. Webring you the details in our coverstory, and we go behind the scenesin the mission’s Reintegration,Rehabilitation and Recovery (RRR)Section which was actively workingwith the programme.

Following the recent launch by Special Representative

2 - UNMIL Today - July 2009

From the Editor

After serving the UNMission in Liberiafor nearly one year

and seven months,Henrik Axel Stiernbladwho for most partserved as UN PoliceCommissioner, hassaid goodbye toLiberia. “It’s beenhard work and veryrewarding,” he said

adding, “I’ve experi-enced challenges I had

thought I would havenever experienced, but

together with UNMIL col-leagues, I believe that we have

achieved successes.”He thanked UNPOL colleagues for theirtremendous cooperation and all the different sections and pillars- not least the military and the rule of law.

Looking back, Stiernblad said his most important achieve-ment during his tenure was the development of a Strategic Planfor the Liberia National Police (LNP) that has been endorsedand approved by the Government. He hoped that the Planwould continue to play a key role in carving the way forwardfor the newly restructured LNP.

Stiernblad goes on to take up an assignment at Sweden’sMinistry of Justice during the Swedish Presidency of theEuropean Union. He will be a focal point for issues relating topeacekeeping and EU crisis management.

HENRIK AXEL STIERNBLAD MANUEL CALZADA

UNMIL has a newSenior LegalAdviser. He is

Manuel Calzada, Spanish bybirth but trained in Australiaas a lawyer. Calzada firstworked for the AustralianGovernment. He later joineda commercial law firmfocused on natural resourcesspecifically mining, oil andgas. He moved on to serveas Chief Executive Officerof an Australian GemstoneMining Company with mar-

keting offices in Hong Kong before returning to commerciallegal practice.

In 2000 Calzada joined UN Interim Administration Missionin Kosovo (UNMIK) in Legal Civil Administration. In 2001 hewas transferred to the European Union (EU) Pillar of UNMIKwhere he established an EU-funded financial institution toassist former State-owned enterprises. In 2003 he joined theUNMIK Office of The Legal Adviser to the SRSG, and laterheaded the Legal Services Division for Publicly OwnedEnterprises (POEs) of UNMIK’s Kosovo Trust Agency wherehis office was responsible for the management and administra-tion of Kosovo’s POEs in energy generation and distribution,post & telecommunications, airport, and municipal enterprisesin water and irrigation activities. Before his appointment toUNMIL, he was a legal consultant to the EU (TAIEX) on leg-islative approximation and other clients on UN-related matters.Calzada is happily married and is a father of three.

Departure Arrival

July 2009 - UNMIL Today - 3

By Sulaiman Momodu

For the first time since language courses started in the UNmission in 2005, the Integrated Mission Training Centre(IMTC) in July this year organized a graduation ceremo-

ny for French and Arabic learners at Green Building inMonrovia.

Thirty UNMIL personnel –military, civilian and police –graduated after a three-month course and evaluation.Although certificates had always been awarded, thegraduation ceremony gave the opportunity to thevarious language learners to meet and have fun, andfeatured drama performances by French learners.

Francine M’bangot of IMTC says ongoing lan-guage training courses include French beginnersand intermediate, Arabic and English. “I am happyto see that people are learning UN languages but Iwill encourage others to come and learn both fortheir career and for easy interaction with people fromother parts of the world,” says M’bangot, who hailsfrom French speaking Central African Republic.

The language training manager, Teresa Pereira,said the training is very rewarding and encouragesUNMIL personal to take advantage of the courses.Some of the colleagues say it had always been theirdesire to learn other languages and expressed their

delight for the courses. “Some people only make it an emer-gency to learn another language when a job opportunity or trav-elling to another country knocks on the door. But it is alwaystoo little too late,” one colleague remarked. French tutorsBoris Korey and Adjo Toussaimt are pleased that both nationaland international staff members are participating. “But wewould like to see more national staff in class as only few ofthem are currently doing so,” says Korey.

Pvt. Mozaffar Rahman

Private MozaffarRahman of BAN-BATT-16 in

Gbarnga, Bong Countydied at the Level III hospi-tal (JORMED) on 22 July2009 after a brief illness.Rahman (46) arrived in the

mission area on 17 April 2009. He was a member of the SectorReserve Company of the Bangladeshi contingent located atCARI Complex, near Gbarnga. He was a father of two sons,Shakhawat (18) and Sohel (16). His colleagues rememberedhim as an efficient, committed soldier and a peacemaker whoalways tried to maintain the image of UNMIL. “He was anupright, bold and active soldier,” one said. His remains werelater airlifted to Bangladesh for burial.

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The UNVSupport Unithas announced

the arrival of the newUNV ProgrammeManager, Ms. AbigailWillmer, to assumeresponsibility forUNV volunteers inUNMIL.

Ms. Willmer, who hails from the United Kingdom and theUnited States of America, arrived in Monrovia on 22 July. Shehas over two-decades of work experience in development situ-ations and had worked as a UK VSO volunteer and USA PeaceCorps volunteer. In addition, she served as UNV ProgrammeOfficer in Mongolia, and for the past two-and-a –half years, sheworked with UNIFEM in Afghanistan. Ms. Willmer brings awealth of programme, managerial and administrative expertiseto the UNV Programme in Liberia and UNMIL.

New UNV Programme Manager Arrives

Language Learners Graduate

Obituary

administration while others were from civil groups and theyouth. The training was conducted in coordination with theCounty Administrative Office, which also did the selection ofthe trainees.

Training in road traffic regulations targeted motorcycle rid-ers, given the fact that most motorcycle riders in Buchanan City

do not observe traffic regu-lations, take the law intotheir hands, and are alwaysin confrontation with thepolice.

The GHANBATT-10Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col Samuel Asare congratu-lated the trainees upon com-pletion of the programme.He said Liberia has a lot ofresources and noted that ifthe human resource is ade-quately developed, therewill be no limit to what thepeople can achieve. The

Grand Bassa County Superintendent, Hon. Julia M. Duncan-Cassell, said the capacity building programme is in line with theCounty’s goals and plans, and in line with the Government’sPoverty Reduction Strategy. She appealed for more training forthe youth to keep them busy and trained in vocational skills,since there is no vocational training school in the county.

4 - UNMIL Today - July 2009

By Frances Alesi

As its contribution towards developing the capacity ofthe human resource in Grand Bassa County and inLiberia, the Ghanaian Contingent (GHANBATT-10),

based in Buchanan City, has been conducting series of capaci-ty building trainings in vari-ous disciplines includinggeneral medicine and den-tistry, and legal affairs. TheGHANBATT-10 CIMICOfficer, Maj. PaulHometowu, said the contin-gent has trained some localpeople in various fields tobuild their capacity and takeover the affairs of their coun-try.

At the request of theCounty administration, thepeacekeepers organized aneight-week capacity buildingtraining, which ended in July and was conducted in various dis-ciplines: computer training, generator repair and maintenance,educational psychology and teaching skills, road traffic regula-tions, community radio broadcast, and basic agriculture. A totalof 45 participants were trained, of which more than half werewomen, who also participated in the generator repair and main-tenance course. The trainees were drawn from the County

By Siebo Williams

Nigerian peacekeepers (Nibatt-20) serving inTubmanburg, Bomi County undertook a tree plantingexercise in the county in the first week of July. In pour-

ing rain the Nibatt-20 soldiers were joined in the planting exer-cise by local dignitaries, UNMIL personnel including the SectorA1 Regional Administrative Officer, Joe Mshindo, and womenand youth groups. Several trees were planted in the FotormaCompound, which houses the headquarters of NIBATT-20 inTubmanburg. The peacekeepers will end their tour of duty inthe county in August and will be replaced by a new company.

The Commanding Officer Col. S. K. Abubakar said the treeplanting exercise was in continuation of the tree planting cam-paign initially launched by the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) to plant seven billion trees in the world.He said the exercise by NIBATT-20 was their way of identify-ing with the people of Bomi County to ensure that their envi-ronment is protected from violent storms in future. Col.Abubakar called on the locals to prioritize tree planting in andaround their communities to contribute to address climatechange. "If Tubmanburg and Bomi County are to be protectedfrom global climate change, every citizen of the county mustplant a tree," he said.

For his part, Superintendent of Bomi County MohammedMassaley lauded the effort of the peacekeepers, noting that

environment is about life, and trees provide life. He disclosedthat for the past 20 years the county has not planted trees toreplace the damaged ones and consequently violent storms havecaused disaster in the communities. He thanked the soldiers forthinking about the county and promised to ensure that districtcommissioners emulate the peacekeepers’ example by encour-aging their communities to engage in tree planting as part of thecampaign against climate change. The City Mayor ofTubmanburg, Gbelly Karnley, said the tree planting initiative bythe peacekeepers is a legacy to the locals.

Nibatt-20 Plant Trees in Tubmanburg

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July 2009 - UNMIL Today - 5

Peacekeepers -- military, civilian and police -- in theMargibi County capital of Kakata have launched a treeplanting campaign in close coordination with and

involvement of the county authorities.The campaign is in response to the UNEP Plant for the

Planet: Billion Tree Campaign that was recently launched bythe UN Special Representative in Monrovia. In his remark,Head of Field Office Ivan Kotov recalled that as a child hisgrandfather once told him to “always keep in mind that a manis a real man only if in his lifetime he has built a house for hisfamily and has planted at least one tree for each member of hisfamily”. He appealed to each and everyone to actively supportthe campaign.

The Nigerian contingent (NIBATT-21), staff members ofthe UN Office, the Assistant Superintendent for Development,Land Commissioner, Forestry and Development Authority rep-resentatives and other officials together with the Sector “A”Chief of Operations were involved in the planting exercise.Trees were planted at the UN Compound, the CountyAdministrative building, Rennie Hospital, Telecom tower,Youth Street, Football stadium, the correction facilities atKakata prison and Bondiway and other places. More than 500seedlings have been planted. The campaign continues.

Peacekeepers Plant Trees in Kakata

BANENGR-11 Hits the Ground RunningJ. Wesley Washington

The Bangladeshi Engineering Contingent (BANENGR-11) based in Ganta, Nimba County, seems to have hit theground running since arriving in UNMIL a few months

ago.As the raining season sets in, part of the contingent’s man-

date is to ensure that UNMIL’s main and secondary supplyroutes remain open and passable all year round. So the first taskwas an assessment of bridges along these routes. Apparentlythe bridges along these highways, constructed more than 30years ago, are virtually damaged and are in dire need of repair.

One of the worst affected was the bridge over River Gunu,some 9.2 kilometers along the Ganta-Tappita highway whichneeded immediate repair. In collaboration with the Ministry ofPublic Works the engineers immediately got into action bylaunching the construction of a 50-foot Bailey bridge with a 60-ton capacity to enhance mobility through the route even duringthis rainy season.

Maj. Tarek Chowdhury, BANENGR-11 PlatoonCommander responsible for the construction, said if they hadnot replaced the bridge, it would have likely been washed awayand probably caused a bigger problem along the route whichalso connects Grand Gedeh County and the rest of south-east-ern Liberia. “It was necessary to immediately replace thisbridge with a Bailey bridge which took us just two days to con-struct,” he said. Local residents, who also joined in the con-struction, were quite delighted upon its completion. Driversplying the route shouted “God bless, God bless; thank youBangladeshis.”

Other roads currently being rehabilitated include the Ganta-Tappita and the Sanniquellie-Loguatuo roads. Maintenancework on the 101 km Ganta-Tappita highway which also con-nects Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire is in progress for damaged cul-verts and the most critical sections of the road. Already, 35 crit-ical spots including 11.8 km critical sections of the road havebeen repaired. A total of 15 km of side drainage has also beenre-excavated on either side of the road with their direct supervi-sion.

Rehabilitation has also begun along the Sanniquellie-Loguatuo highway expected to be carried out in three phases.The first is the construction of three culverts and the repair ofthe most critical sections. The second is routine maintenance tobe carried out during the rainy season and the last phaseincludes the rehabilitation of the entire road to make it an allweather road.

By J. Wesley Washington

Christian residents of the Gbeansua com-munity, near Gbarnga City, BongCounty, will shortly be proud benefici-

aries of a church edifice now under construc-tion in their vicinity thanks to the 10th contin-gent of the UN Mission’s Nigerian FormedPolice Unit (NFPU-10) stationed in Sector B-2.

Because of the distance to Gbarnga Citywhere most churches are located, mostChristians in the neighbourhood worship withthe officers at the NFPU Christian FellowshipChapel situated at the old Liberia Produce MarketingCorporation (LPMC) warehouse, within the compound of theFPU. “Part of our outreach within locales where we operate isto work in collaboration with them and try to impact positivelyto their lives as much as we can. As such, we decided to re-erectthis church structure to make it more solid and concrete for thebenefit of the people here and to the glory of God,” saidAssistant Commissioner Clement Ezeifebikwa, who is alsoCommander of the NFPU-10. Members of the contingent (120officers and men) have contributed generously to ensure thesuccess of the project before the end their mission in

September. Ezeifebikwa noted thatthough it’s the contingent’s initia-tive, whoever would want to con-tribute generously to the project isfree to do so.

The NFPU-10 Commanderstressed that though their deploy-ment in Liberia is to ensure peace, itcannot be done in isolation of thefear of God. “The Bible says thefear of God is the beginning of wis-dom,” he said, adding that if God isembraced, lasting peace of God will

come to bear on the community and the country as a whole.James Jende, a resident of the community who is also part

of the church construction team, said he was quite delightedwith the efforts being made by NFPU-10. “ I am motivated tovolunteer my services because there is a saying when someoneis washing your back you should be washing your stomach,” hesaid with a smile. Besides this project, the NFPU-10 contingentalso undertakes regular free medical outreach to various com-munities. “We came with enough high quality drugs,”Ezeifebikwa said, noting that since their arrival over fourmonths ago, they have treated over 1,000 locals.

Nigerian FPU-10 Builds Church Be

yond

Work

By I. Solo Kelgbeh

The timely rescue intervention of the Ethiopian Battalion(ETHBATT-20) and the Chinese Engineering Battalion8 during a recent flood in Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh

County, prevented a tragedy in the county. Disaster loomedlarge one early Sunday morning last month when heavy downpour caused the Goonie River and Zwe to burst their banks,trapping over 500 people, many of them women and children.

With lives in danger, Ethbatt 20 was deployed at 0400am toKrahville, Todayville and Enrz - the communities worst hit bythe flooding. They were later joined by Chinese EngineeringBattalion 8. The peacekeepers braved the rain and flood, res-cued the trapped residents and their belongings, and transport-

ed them to the Zwedru Youth Center. Additionally, theEthiopians donated food items including cooking oil, sardines,biscuits, and 12 bags of 25kg rice, to respond to the victims’cries for food. The Chinese also did likewise with two bags of25kg rice, biscuits and oil.

Locals have hailed the peacekeepers as “saviours” for theircommitment in rescuing the flood victims without any humancasualty. Grand Gedeh County Superintendent Christopher BehBailey says the peacekeepers are “true peace ambassadors”. Forhis part, the Liberia Refugees Repatriation and ResettlementCommission (LRRRC) Region Six Field Officer, Alfred Juynesaid the presence of the peacekeepers prevented a “BlackSunday” in the County.

Peacekeepers Avert “Black Sunday” in Grand Gedeh

practical.Regional Administrative

Officer Abdul Hakim Hassan,BANENGR-12 ContingentCommander Lt.-Col. AbdulHamid Sardar and his deputy,Col. Omair Nusrat awardedcertificates at a ceremonyattended by several distin-guished guests. Some of thestudents have already beenemployed by various organiza-tions in the county thanks tothe training.

July 2009 - UNMIL Today - 7

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As efforts are under-way to providepower in various

parts of Liberia,Bangladeshi engineers(BANENGR-12) inGbarnga, Bong County, havecommenced the training ofelectricians. Sixteen stu-dents who were recentlyselected through an entranceexamination have undergonesix weeks of training whichended in June. Added to the-ory, the training was mostly

The Bangladeshi engineering contingent (BANENGR-12)has started a joint venture with the Central AgricultureResearch Institute (CARI) of Liberia located in

Gbarnga, Bong County, to encourage local residents to engagein agricultural activities.

Upon their deployment in April this year, the peacekeepersidentified non availability of a variety of seeds, fertilizers andequipment as among the reasons why some Liberians are notinterested in agriculture. The BANENGR-12 peacekeepers incollaboration with CARI experts brought in hybrid agro prod-ucts for use by farmers. The theme of the project is “One fami-ly, one garden” as it hopes to encourage every Liberian family,especially those working with the project to cultivate at leastone garden.

The three-acre pilot project within the CARI complexinvolves 48 persons who go about their routine business in themorning and make way to the demonstration site in the after-noon to learn about good agricultural practices. A team from thecontingent supervises the project; the World Food Programmeprovides incentives to farmers while CARI experts provideequipment and manpower. During a visit to the pilot project sitein July, UNMIL Today saw enthusiastic locals busy at workwhile a tractor was ploughing acres of a nearby field wherethose being trained will get plots of land to cultivate. Seedsfrom the pilot project will be distributed to the farmers andeventually to other parts of Liberia.

“One Family, One Garden”

BANENGR-12 Trains Electricians

Some of the about 30 women involved with the projectlamented that their husbands were killed during the war andwere finding it difficult to take care of themselves and theirchildren. They however expressed the hope of better agricultur-al productivity and a better life with some support and hailedthe Bangladeshis and other partners for their assistance.

The BANENGR-12 Contingent Commander, Lt.-Col.Abdul Hamid Sardar, stressed the need to make Liberia foodsufficient citing the importance of food for the sustenance ofpeace.

Design and GraphicsPaddy Defoxy Ilos, II

Thomas S. Blidi

UNMIL TodayPublished by the Public Information Office, UNMIL

Chief of Public InformationGeorge Somerwill

today@unmil.orgwww.unmil.org

Head of PublicationsMathew Elavanalthoduka

Editorial Team:Sulaiman Momodu

J. Wesley Washington

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8 - UNMIL Today - July 2009

At one point or the other, most UNMIL personnel,including those coming to assume duty or travelling onRRR, may have gone through the Kotoka International

Airport in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, after being disgorgedfrom the belly of a Dash 7 or Boeing 757.

Among the check-in counters at the departure hall, there isthe conspicuous five-letter acronym - UNMIL. But how doesUNMIL Movement Control (MOVCON) operate in Accra?"There are two of us here that are UNMIL staff and we haveindividual contractors as well. My colleague Rahina Quarcoois currently on leave," says Kojo, a MOVCON clerk during arecent interview at the airport.Explaining their routine job,the Ghanaian national saystheir responsibility is toattend to their customers(clients) that use the UNMILflight. "We check them in,pass them through immigra-tion and then we get them onboard the flight," he says.

Kojo says one of the chal-lenges of working at the air-port is when colleagues have

Checking-in with MOVCON in Accraexcess luggage and want to get it on the plane at all cost. "If theluggage exceeds by few kilograms, consideration may be givenbut some people far exceed the maximum and would not acceptto reduce it," he continues, adding, "To solve such problems, wetry to talk to them politely to make them understand the proce-dure. Some of them know but they just don't want to take it sowe try to educate them." Usually, if a passenger has excess bag-gage, he or she is encouraged to leave the excess with theMOVCON office and to prepare a CMR (cargo movementrequest) upon arrival in Monrovia, which gives authority for itto be sent. From time to time, the MOVCON personnel also

make every effort to assist pas-sengers who go to the airportand their names are not even onthe manifest.

As for salaries for all theirefforts, Kojo says it is sentthrough ECOBANK. TheMOVCON personnel messageto staff is: "Please exercisepatience with us while herebecause we are guided by rulesand regulations."

By J. Wesley Washington

Nigeria’s 10th contingent of Formed Police Unit(NFPU-10) serving UNMIL received a major boostrecently with the delivery of an assortment of logistical

equipment to enhance their work.The NFPU-10 deployed in the central Liberian city of

Gbarnga, Bong County in Sector B-2 also covers NimbaCounty providing operational support to regular policing activ-ities as well as reacting to urgent security situations to ensurethe maintenance of law and order. They had been handicappedby inadequate logistics to respond to such situations immedi-ately.

Lately, they were capacitated with the arrival of twoamphibious armoured personnel carriers, and 17 other vehiclesincluding coaster buses, pickups, trucks, jeeps, and a fuel tankerfrom the Nigerian Government to improve their operations.

“Vehicle logistics is operations. You can’t move to incidentvenues swiftly in the absence of these logistics. The arrival ofthese vehicles has boosted our operational capabilities to act

swiftly and efficiently,” said Assistant Commissioner ClementEzeifebiku, also the NFPU-10 Commander.

The NFPU-10 Commander emphasized that he doesn’t seeanything too difficult for his contingent to handle as far asissues regarding their deployment and tasks are concerned. “Weare ready,” a pleased Ezeifebiku said.

He cited the recent rescue of officers of the DrugEnforcement Agency (DEA) who where kidnapped and beatenin a village near Gbarnga on 12 July 2009. Through theirprompt intervention, the DEA officers were rescued and thewounded taken to hospital for treatment. Another incident thatthis contingent effectively handled was the attempted escape byinmates from the Bong County Central Prison. Their promptarrival brought the situation under control.

The arrival of these vehicles was a tremendous boost totheir operational capacity as Liberia celebrated its 162ndIndependence anniversary in Gbarnga which hosted its largestgathering since the post-conflict era providing security to theLiberian President, her foreign guests and others who visitedthe city for the celebrations.

Logistics boost for Nigerian FPU

By Sulaiman Momodu

After almost six years of renderingservices to Liberians, the “TripleR” section is winding down and

already some personnel have left to contin-ue their career in other UN missions, espe-cially in Sudan.

Ex-combatants, refugees, internally dis-placed persons and returnees were the ini-tial focus of the Reintegration,Rehabilitation and Recovery (RRR) sectionwhich closely worked with other sectionswithin the mission, partners, including UNagencies such as WFP, and communities.“We worked with everybody including themilitary component of the mission,” saysAndrea Tamagnini, the section’s director,adding, “We’ve done the job –RRR is wind-ing down.”

Tamagnini, who arrived in Liberia in July 2005, says hissection was the focal point within UNMIL for theDisarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation andReintegration (DDRR) programme which officially closed inJuly. The section handled all matters relating to the reintegra-tion of war-affected populations, employment creation andrehabilitation of vital infrastructure, among others.

With a focus on reintegration and recovery, RRR personnelhave been crisscrossing the sometimes challenging terrain ofpost-war Liberia and engaging in several activities fromreclaiming rubber plantations occupied by ex-combatants toworking with local populations in urban public works. Liaisingwith the Ministries of Public Works and Labour and collaborat-ing with WFP on food-for-work programmes, the section hasbeen working with UNMIL engineers and promoting the uti-lization of labour-intensive methods in the mission’s road repair

and rehabilitation works undertakento keep main supply routes passable.

During the 2007-2008 fiscal year,RRR took over the coordination ofthe mission’s Quick Impact Projects(QIP) during which UNMIL staff ofthe project were absorbed into thesection.

“Now that we are completing ourwork, some follow-up should bedone on a number of initiatives,”says Tamagnini, stressing that reinte-gration is a long term process whichUNDP and the Liberian societywould have to complete, and thatemergency employment opportuni-ties need be created for sustainablepeace and security.

At its climax, RRR had about 50personnel but there has been a reduction in staff as the sectiongradually reorganizes into a unit and will eventually integrateinto Civil Affairs together with the Humanitarian Co-ordinationSection.

Thanking Doris Kleffner, Eric Perry ( a national profession-al), Bisrat, Sarinurio, Elizabeth Chester, Moshe (now in Sudan)and several other UNMIL colleagues past and present for mak-ing RRR a success, and expressing gratitude to donors ofLiberia’s DDRR process, Tamagnini, who will be leaving themission shortly, says he feels satisfied that they have accom-plished their job.

But when will RRR cease to exist? “I don’t know, but Idon’t want to lose a section before I leave,” say Tamagnini jok-ingly, reiterating, though, that when an office shuts down, itmeans the job has been done. “I am very happy and satisfiedthat our section has been a very good place to work as a teamwhere every day was a pleasure to come to work.”

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July 2009 - UNMIL Today - 9

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esWhen a 22-year-old deaf and dumb woman recently

went to report to the police that she had been assault-ed, who will take down her statement became a great

challenge.Disabled persons usually complain that they are not given

access to public services, security, protection and the opportu-nity to tell their story. Accompanied by three colleagues, alsodeaf, the woman went to the police at Zone 4 Base inGardnersville, Monrovia, to file a complaint.

UNPOL advisor Doreen Malambo, a Zambia national,trained in sign language, happened to be there. With her skillsand competence, she provided the support needed for theLiberian National Police officers to write down a report as wellas a statement.

Well done Doreen!

UNPOL Renders Service to Deaf, Dumb female Victim

“We’ve done the job – RRR is winding down”

Colleagues say working with county officials is a bit chal-lenging as most of them are based in Sinje and Bo Watersidebecause of lack of mobility and office space in Robertsport.Also, like most other counties, the rainy reason renders badroad conditions worse some of which have rickety woodenbridges.

After the hard day’s work in the field, some colleagues stopover in Sinje, along the highway to the border with Sierra Leonewhere Nigerian peacekeepers are based, in order to compile andsend their reports to Monrovia before returning to Robertsport.

For social and de-stressing activities, until recently, col-leagues had to travel down to the sector’s Tubmanburg head-

quarters. With the appointment of the new RegionalAdministrative Officer Joe Mshindo, mechanisms are now putin place for Robertsport colleagues to have their own staff wel-fare activities. Already a staff welfare committee has beenestablished. In the interim, the office has a small gym and a staffwelfare room but, frustratingly for some, the DSTV in the wel-fare room has been out of service for over nine months.

For colleagues who would like to visit the coastal town, theHead of Office has a piece of advice: “Robertsport is a verygood environment. If you come for sight seeing, you will defi-nitely be attracted but please make sure you come with yourfood and water.”

By Sulaiman Momodu

UNMIL’s Grand Cape Mount County headquarters inRobertsport is located just a stone’s throw away fromthe shores of the Atlantic Ocean, which connects with

Lake Piso – the largest lake in Liberia. Climb up the rocky hillsand take in the view of the town (or city?), and one is remind-ed of the coastal city of Freetown. Incidentally, Robertsport isthe hometown of my colleague J. Wesley Washington.

Although one has to gingerly traverse a few bridges madeof palm trees, the journey along the 43-km Madina –Robersport Road, which is being rehabilitated, is a chance tosee Liberia’s picturesque landscape.

The UNMIL Robertsport Office is akin to a typical agrarianAfrican village wherein people most times leave their homes atthe crack of dawn and return at nightfall. “The work here ismainly done in the field because Civil Affairs and other sectionshave to cover the county,” explains Security staff PrinceSambola, adding, “For security, we remain posted here 24/7.”Human Rights, JLOC, Legal and Judiciary, UNPOL, CivilAffairs and military (Nigerians) personnel are present in thecounty, which is administratively under Sector 1A.

“Grand Cape Mount is calm and quiet,” says UNPOL TeamLeader Salah Rahahleh. UNPOL directs, advises and monitorsthe daily activities of Liberian National Police as the lawenforcement agency deals with civilians. “We are doing ourbest to keep this area peaceful through community policing,” hesays, pointing out that UNPOL encourages women in the coun-ty to join the force.

Head of Field Office Gibril Alan Turay says in addition todealing with border security, Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS)and County Development Agenda (CDA), Civil Affairs pro-vides technical support to the county administration and has putin place various structures for the effective functioning of theCounty Support Team. The office has also mobilized the youthsto be engaged in more meaningful activities and to be involvedin the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the PRSand CDA. The rule of law sector in the county is still strug-gling. For instance the court in Madina reportedly used to oper-ate in a palava hut but because sessions usually ended whenev-er the community people had meetings, the magistrate noworganizes court sittings on his veranda in Sinje.

Spotlight on RobertsportBe

hind

The S

cenes

10 - UNMIL Today - July 2009

As Liberians marked thecountry’s 162nd inde-pendence anniversary at

this year’s official venue, theBong County capital, Gbarnga,the National Orator for theevent, Paramount Chief FlomoTogba Barworor, added his voiceto those Liberians who believeUNMIL should stay in Liberiawell beyond the 2011 elections.

Speaking to UNMIL Todayat his Gbarnga residence shortlybefore he delivered his speech in

the local Kpelle language which was translated into English atthe Gbarnga Administrative Building, Barworor, who is also theChairman of the Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders ofBong, described the work of the UN mission as “very good”.For Liberians to sustain the hard earned peace, the chief, who isthe first traditional leader to serve as orator, noted among otherthings that the young generation should not tag old people aswitches but should instead seek advice from them. During thecountry’s civil war, Chief Barworor, who cannot read or write,was among the delegation that travelled to Nigeria, Niger andBurkina Faso as Liberia struggled for peace. Born during thepresidency of Charles King in the 1920s - 1930s, the paramountchief is a proud father of 40 children and had nine wives.

Note: Please see next edition of UNMIL Today to learnhow national staff celebrated the country’s Independence invarious parts of the country.

The newly appointed coadjutor archbishop of the CatholicArchdiocese of Monrovia says the UN Mission inLiberia has done a wonderful job and cautions against

the withdrawal of all troops even after the 2011 presidentialelections. “There are many missions that the United Nations hascarried out but Liberia has been a success case for them. Theyhave really done a wonderful work.”

Zeigler said he was concerned that the UN might go awayimmediately after the 2005 elections. “They remained. Theyhave been with us. We saw where tension was raising its headfrom different areas; they were there to bring down such ten-sions,” he said.

Commenting on the gradual drawdown of the mission, hesaid: “Even if they say after 2011 they are going to be leaving,I think the presence of even a small force will be necessary.”The former archbishop of the Diocese of Gbarnga went on thatit was a mistake in 1997to let ECOMOG leavejust after the elections.“That was a big mistakeand we saw what hap-pened. So even after2011, I will appeal to theUN to still have a smallforce on the ground,” thearchbishop told UNMILToday in Gbarnga, stress-ing that a lot of resourceshave been used inLiberia’s peace process.

July 2009 - UNMIL Today - 11

After four years of“separation” fromMonrovia, residents

of Royesville Township, 7.5km from the capital, had everyreason to celebrate as UNMILhanded over a long desiredbridge to the community. TheQuinea Bridge in RoyesvilleTownship, rural MontserradoCounty, was damaged in April2005 cutting off vehicular

traffic from 12 villages to the capital. However, with the assis-tance of the mission’s Pakistani engineers, the residents havenow been reconnected with Monrovia.

Prior to the recent launch of the bridge, residents had to del-icately walk on a narrow bamboo bridge they erected.Schooling as well as social and economic activities were alsohampered due to the absence of a proper bridge.

In April 2006, Liberia Agency for CommunityEmpowerment (LACE) provided materials for the rehabilita-tion of the bridge. The Pakistani engineers at the time were

requested to help with machinery. After several assessmentsand challenges, a team of officers comprising representatives ofUNMIL Civil Engineering and Force Engineering, as well asUNMIL Pakistan Engineer-10 carried out the reconnaissance ofthe Quinea Bridge once again to find other options available.The bridge, however, could not be transported until April thisyear. The first task encountered by the bridge launching partywas the clearing of the road and tracks so heavy machinerycould be transported to the site. After five days of hard work,the bridge wasready much tothe delight ofthe local resi-dents.“We arevery gratefulto UNMIL forthis assis-tance,” anelder of thec o m m u n i t yremarked.

Royesville Reconnects with Monrovia

National Orator Speaks “UNMIL has doneWonderful Work”

Arou

nd L

iberia

Mamba Point is noted as the diplomatic enclave. It hosts mostNGOs and UN agencies, the United States, French and Egyptianembassies.

HOTELS

Mamba Point Hotel – UN Drive, Mamba Point – Tel. #s: (231) 6.440.000, 6.441.000, 5.929.292, 5.939.393, 6.544.544, 6.511.202; e-mails: mambapointhotel@yahoo.com, reservations@mambapointho-tel.biz; single room at US$135.

Krystal Oceanview Hotel – UN Drive, Mamba Point (opposite LaPointe Restaurant) – Tel. #s: (231) 6.510.424, 6.430.099, 77 767.676;e-mail: info@krystaloceanviewyhotel.com; website: www.krystalo-ceanviewhotel.com; Regular room at US$160.

The Cape Hotel – UN Drive, Mamba Point (Adjacent Mamba PointHotel) - Tel. #s: (231) 77. 006.633, 6.643.760; e-mail: info@thecape-hotel.com; website: www.thecapehotel.com; single room at US$135.

Park Hotel (Grain Realty Company, Ltd.) – Carey Street (oppositethe Nigerian Contingent Headquarters) – Tel. #s (231) 6.739.224,6.739.221. Rooms: Negotiable

SinkorSinkor is the area between the city center and Congo Town, where theUNMIL HQ is located.

RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas – Kendeja, off the RobertsfieldHighway after ELWA in Paynesville. For reservations within theUnited States, 888-860-0388 and within Monrovia 022-100-100. Foradditional information and online reservation, please visit: www.rljk-endejaresort.com

Royal Hotel – Tubman Boulevard (between 14th & 15th Streets),Sinkor – Tel. #s (231) 6.510.006, 6.554.444; sin-gle room at US$144

SUPERMARKETS

Abi-Jaoudi Supermarket – Randall Street (between UN Drive andBenson Street) - City Center

Stop and Shop Supermarket – Randall Street (between UN Drive andBenson Street) – City Center

Monoprix Supermarket – Benson Street (between Mechlin andNewport Streets) – City Center

Monoprix Supermarket – Point-4 Junction (Bushrod Island) enrouteto Dualla or Riverview

Exclusive Superstore – Center Street (between Benson and CareyStreets) – City Center

Exclusive Superstore – Tubman Boulevard (19th Street) Sinkor

Greenland Supermarket – Tubman Boulevard (opposite gas station,7th Street) – Sinkor

UN Drive Supermarket – Tubman Boulevard (15th Street)

Monrovia has several restaurants, attending to different tastes.Prices vary from US$5 to US$40 a meal.

RESTAURANTS

Bamboo Bar and Restaurant – European dishes - Corner ofBroad/Randall Streets, Central Monrovia (Roof Top, Palm Hotel)- Tel.# 06.585.959

Beruit Restaurant – Offers European and Middle Eastern dishes -Center Street (between Broad and Ashmun Streets), City Center; Tel. #- 06.512.051.

Boulevard Café – Offers Western dishes – 14th Street, TubmanBoulevard (opposite the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church) Sinkor; Tel. #s(231) 6.969.969, 5.123.456

Garden Restaurant – Chinese menu – Paynesville (near S.D. CooperJunction) Tel. #: (231) 6. 888.067

Golden Beach – Pizza, Chinese and Western dishes-TubmanBoulevard, Sinkor. Tel. 06.586.739. Offers take away service

Groovies – Western and African dishes. 24 hours service - TubmanBoulevard, Oldest Congo (after COMIUM) Tel. 06.551.506

Krystal Ocean View Hotel – Liberian and Western dishes; Sundaybrunch - UN Drive, Mamba Point (opposite La Pointe Restaurant) –Tel. #s: (231) 6.510.424, 6.430.099, 77 767.676

Mamba Point Hotel – Lebanese, Indian and Western dishes UnitedNations Drive, Mamba Point; Tel. #: 06.544.544

Marlin’s Corner – Seafood, steak and western dishes -Between theTOTAL gas station and St. Paul River). Tel. 06.437.861

Monaliza Restaurant and Patesserie – Lebanese and Western dishesincluding ice cream and other sweets – (Opposite UN DriveSupermarket, 15th Street, Sinkor); Tel. #s: (231) 6.439.439, 5.656.444,5.656.111.

Musu’s Spot - Western cuisine and ice cream - Tubman Boulevard,Oldest Congo Town. Tel. # 06.510.596.

Royal Hotel – Lebanese and Western cuisine, Sunday brunch. Offerstake away service – Tubman Boulevard (between 14th and 15th Streets,Sinkor) – Tel. 06.566.669/544.444.

Ruby Bar and Restaurant – International cuisine. Daily specials – UpBroad Street (below Ducor Palace Hotel) – Tel. 06.510.991,06.569.263.

Taaj’s Restaurant – Indian cuisine; Sunday brunch. Offers deliveryand take-away services – (Near Total gas station) 5th Street, Sinkor;Tel. #s: (231) 6.522.190, 6.590.101, 7.777.6666.

This page will be updated from time to time.

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