UN mission to West Africa postponed

The UN has announced that a Security Council Mission to seven West African countries including Ghana, which was to have started on Thursday, has been postponed.

A statement from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana e-mailed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said new dates for the tour would be announced later.

The United Nations Security Council on Monday said it was sending a Mission to the Sub-Region from May 15-23 to examine prospects for peace in a bid to explore new opportunities for progress towards peace and stability.

The Mission's was slated to travel to Nigeria; Ghana; Cote d'Ivoire; Guinea; Liberia; Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone.

The Council's President, Mr Munir Akram of Pakistan, said the Mission was to be led by Mr Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom.

The team's terms of reference include overall regional as well as specific objectives for the countries to be visited.

Among other things, the Mission would aim to encourage more cooperation among the countries of the Sub-Region and to assess progress towards UN Security Council objectives on the protection of civilians and children affected by armed conflicts.