SG/SM/10228
AFR/1291
24 November 2005
Secretary-General Congratulates Liberia's Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as Africa's First Woman Head of State, Following Elections Commission Announcement
NEW YORK, 23 November (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General welcomes this morning's announcement by the National Elections Commission of the official results from the Liberian presidential run-off elections. The results show that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of the Unity Party received 59.4 per cent and George Weah of the Congress for Democratic Change 40.6 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The Secretary-General extends his warm congratulations to Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf on her election as Africa's first woman Head of State in the modern era.
The Secretary-General notes that the National Elections Commission will continue to conduct active and open hearings on the complaints received concerning the conduct of the run-off elections, in accordance with the established legal procedures. He urges a timely conclusion of this important process in order to allow all Liberians to focus on the urgent tasks of national reconciliation, reconstruction and good governance. The Secretary-General wishes to assure the newly-elected Government of the continued support of the United Nations, as Liberia lays the foundations for lasting political stability and sustainable economic development.
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