US, China, UN condemn RUF

The United States condemned Sierra Leonean rebels yesterday for their brutality and urged Liberia to take “all necessary measures to stop support for RUF activities emanating from its territory”. In a statement, the acting spokesman for the US Department of State, Lee McClenny, said: “In their effort to gain power, the insurgents have mutilated, raped and killed thousands of innocent civilians.” He said the United States government stood firmly with the democratically elected government of President Kabbah. “We cannot countenance any renewed attempt to overthrow the Kabbah government by force,” he said. “Nor will the people of Sierra Leone accept another coup.” The sentiment was shared on Sunday in a statement by UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, who also condemned the RUF and its junta allies for insisting on continuing military action. In Beijing on Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, Zhu Bangzao, told a bi-weekly news briefing that the international community should support Sierra Leone in its bid to achieve peace and stability. At home, public support for Kabbah’s government and anti-rebel sentiment was demonstrated yesterday in a march in Freetown during which another three rebel suspects were reportedly lynched.