Support needed from international community

Despite her reservations, Bangura agreed that the treaty was a good opportunity, but that Sierra Leone needed much support from the international community to make it work. "A lot of committees and infrastructures will need to be set up and I worry what will happen if resources are not provided by the international community to service them," she said.

Gborie and Koroma also emphasised the need for the international community to monitor the situation very closely. People also want to see the RUF take responsibility for human rights atrocities that have been committed and show remorse, the three civil society leaders said. "What everyone is looking for is for people to come forward and show remorse, only then will
people become more open to the idea of an amnesty," Gborie said.

Another issue uppermost in people's minds, Gborie said, was that all combatants should disarm quickly. Only then, he pointed out, will people feel more comfortable and believe peace really has arrived. "Sierra Leoneans have worked and suffered for democracy," he said, "and we should now co-exist in peace."