Secretary-General's joint press conference with President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone
(unofficial transcript)

Thank you very much for your very kind welcome.

Over the past week I have visited several countries in Africa.

I wanted to see for myself how Africa is making progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and to hear of the challenges that remain. I have seen and heard much to give me great heart. Sierra Leone embodies the new sense of maturity, progress and hope that I sense across Africa.

All eyes are now in fact on Africa because of the World Cup. I think people can see the vibrancy and potential of this great continent.

Yesterday I met some footballers myself –they are not, of course, FIFA World Cup players but they did more than, better than World Cup soccer players -- young men who lost limbs during Sierra Leone's conflict. That was a most moving and sad experience for me. But I was very much encouraged to have seen their courage and resilience and fortitude of those young men and of this great nation, and I could see it from their faces and from their play that brightens their future.

Of course they are the victims of those tragic periods which your country has gone through, but having met them, I was quite encouraged that with such courage, fortitude, and resilience, I am sure that you will be able to overcome all the challenges lying before you.

Sierra Leone is one of the world's most successful examples of post-conflict recovery, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

The Government and the people of Sierra Leone have made tremendous progress to consolidate peace, security and development.

They have proven that peaceful democratic change is possible. Two governments have each, in turn, made their own contribution.

I have just met with President [Ernest Bai] Koroma and his entire cabinet, and during the day I will meet with members of civil society, Sierra Leone's political parties, and the diplomatic community.

I will also attend, right after this press conference, the inauguration of the independent Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation, SLBC. SLBC is born from the marriage of United Nations radio and the country's state-controlled broadcaster. It is a historic gift to every woman, man and child in Sierra Leone.

I commend President Koroma for his vision. A free media is fundamental to a thriving democracy.

The United Nations is proud to have played a key role. During the long years of conflict, United Nations radio helped Sierra Leone to tune itself to the frequency of peace. Sierra Leone has become a model for peaceful development and stability in the region. It is an example of a multilateral approach to consolidating peace that can be emulated elsewhere. The national reconciliation process has helped build respect for the rule of law.

The smooth transition from peacekeeping to a fully integrated United Nations peacebuilding support operation will serve as an example for similar United Nations engagements in other countries emerging from conflict.

However, much remains to be achieved: jobs and opportunities for the young people, electricity, roads and sound state institutions, improved education and improved maternal and child health.

The Government of Sierra Leone is well aware of these challenges. President Koroma's Agenda for Change charts an ambitious roadmap for reform, development and consolidating peace. I commend the Government's initiative to provide free health care to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under five. Healthy mothers and children are the foundation of a healthy society.

Responsibility for progress in Sierra Leone lies with the Government and people of Sierra Leone. But they cannot do it alone. The international community must remain engaged, especially in the lead-up to the 2012 general elections. The United Nations has been a proud partner in Sierra's Leone's progress. We will continue to stand by your side as you look to a future of peace, prosperity and unity.

Tenki tenki (thank you, thank you).

Q: [inaudible]

A: First of all, you have gone through very tragic, unfortunate conflicts. So many years, so many people have been killed. There have been so many unconstitutional changes of government and each change of government had brought many sufferings of civilian people, the most vulnerable people –killed, amputated –and devastating social economic situations.

The United Nations holds a very strong, firm position that justice should be established. I know that there was a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and they made recommendations for the Government to implement. I raised this issue with President Koroma this morning and, again, all the recommendations for the TRC should be implemented. I'm not going to deal with any individual cases, because there had been so many such atrocities and brutalities.

Yesterday, I talked about this with youth footballers, without arms or legs. But they were courageous and happy in playing football. We must give some sense of hope to them. We must heal these wounds. For that to be possible, government leaders, society leaders, business community leaders and all should be united, transcending our political difference of opinions. There may be some differences of opinions, how to address these issues –but I leave it to your Government. After all, it is your country, your past and your future that you have to discuss among yourselves.

As a matter of principle, if there no justice and peace can only be temporary, peace should be sustainable. I know youth and young people; they are the leaders of tomorrow. Today at present you have President Koroma and Cabinet Ministers. But tomorrow, you'll have new leaders –young people. They are the owners and they are the leaders of your future. So their well-being, decent education, and good health and nutrition, strong support from family, government and society should be given.

The United Nations has many agencies and programmes here. The UN country team has for the first time ever an integrated United Nations team here, under the leadership of Mr. [Michael von der] Schulenburg. Now yesterday I had a good meeting with the UN country team on how the United Nations can strengthen your own efforts and assist in providing decent job opportunities. Basically this is again, a responsibility that lies with the Government. We will try to do whatever is required to assist your Government policies. I am aware that there is a very high rate of unemployment, particularly young people. So how to provide these young people [is by giving] good education good support, then the establishment of a youth commission, which [was] mentioned by President Koroma, that is again, very encouraging and commendable by the Government. Through this youth commission and through these very good policies, and together with the United Nations, various agencies and funds and programmes, we will work together to provide a good future for your young people.

Then again as I said, last question, you are one of the successful democracies, post-conflict democracy. But the gains you have made should be further consolidated and further built upon by your continuing commitment. Nobody can say at this time that your gain, your success is reversible. You must make it an irreversible process. Most recently you have seen two peaceful transfers of power. President Koroma and his predecessor came from different parties, but [there was a] very smooth and credible transition process. These kinds of traditions must be continued.

Then the 2012 elections –presidential, parliamentary and local elections –this will be this litmus and test for your mature democracy, a fuller democracy, a more participatory democracy. That requires again the full participation of your own people and unity and leadership of political leaders. That's exactly the same message I am going to send to the political leaders and civil society leaders this afternoon. Again, I am very optimistic about your future. The United Nations will always stand by your noble but difficult challenges.

Thank you very much.