SRSG and team visits Kono

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) appointed to Sierra Leone, Jens Toyberg- Frandzen, including heads of other diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone, have made an official visit to Kono district. Responding to complaints and reports from different youth groups and civil society, that has special bearing to violence and intimidation in the district, the Ambassador said the international community would keep an eye on the present political situation in Kono and monitor it well.
He said youths and the civil society groups should ensure the media becomes their mouthpiece to air and print out, their views and complaints, relating to the behaviour of political leaders and their supporters.
Toyberg-Frandzen said the solution to most of the problems in Kono, lies in the hands of the people themselves.
He however made it categorically clear, that as far as the elections of Sierra Leone is concern, it is only technical advice that the international community, might provide as at now.
The Ambassador also informed stakeholders that Sierra Leone is now a developing nation and not a post-conflict country any longer.
He further reiterated that, it would be fine, if they can come back to Kono and start talking about something else rather than conflict.
Ambassador Toyberg-Frandzen also had time to meet with the local authorities, councils, and the security agencies. Discussions with these category of people was held behind closed doors and at different times. So far serious concerns were also raised by other human rights groups such as 50/50 and Network movement for Justice and Development, Mrs. Esther Baryoh, of the 50/50 Group who said there is no security for women candidates and that there has been a lot of intimidation by some political leaders and their supporters. Patrick Tongu representing the Network Movement for Justice and Development, said political leaders have not been doing much, with regards to addressing political violence in the district and that the communiqué signed by these leaders, have not been respected at all.
He therefore asked SRSG and team to do all that they can to monitor the elections, in order to ensure that there is no post elections violence, as that has always been the case in Kono, whenever elections are conducted.
By Jon-bu