allAfrica.com                                                                               *


A Job Well Done, Mr. Doss


The NEWS (Monrovia)


EDITORIAL
14 December 2007
Posted to the web 14 December 2007


The man who headed the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from 2004 to present has ended
his tour of duty. Ambassador Alan Doss, a career diplomat is expected to leave the
country shortly for the Democratic Republic of Congo where he has been assigned as
head of the UN Mission.

The UN diplomat took over from retired American Air Force General Jacque Klein at the
time Liberia was transitioning from war to democratic governance.



His new assignment, DR Congo, has been termed a hostile environment as government
forces loyal to President Joseph Kabila attempted to repulse onslaughts by rebels.

The mission seems to be a knotty one as the situation in Congo DR turns fluid. The
United Nations has already declared support for the government of President Kabila,
while the rebels continue to remain intransigent to adhere to a truce.

Amb. Doss is going to DRC with enormous experience having served as head of UN
Missions in Sierra Leone, La Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia.

He came to West Africa as an UN envoy at a time when the entire Mano River Union
(MRU) region was swaddled by violent conflicts.

Notwithstanding, with support from the international community, ECOWAS and other
partners, peace and stability have been restored to the MRU states. During this time,
Mr. Doss played an inspiring role to ensure the stability of the region.

At a news conference to bid farewell, Mr. Doss said the people of the MRU were moving
toward economic growth and development. He said seven years ago, the region was one
of the most insecure places on the continent; today security situation has improved
tremendously.

As the UN envoy departs Liberia for another mission, we want to heap praises on this
great statesman for his involvement in helping to restore peace and stability not
only to Liberia, but the entire MRU.

Amb. Doss has not only been involved with the security aspect of the country, but
also he has been concerned about the socio-economic development of the Liberian
people.

It would be very repulsive if we as a people do not recognize his numerous
contributions. The contributions of this diplomat would continuously be remembered by
peace-loving Liberians.


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