RUF commander expresses concern about safety

The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) commander for Makeni has expressed fear that his men may be attacked with machetes and other non-conventional weapons after disarming, a government information bulletin reported. Augustine Bao, speaking at the National Committee for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (NCDDR) sensitisation workshop on Tuesday in the northern town said the RUF was aware that people in other former fighting factions still possess such weapons which they may use to attack the RUF, the NCDDR reported. Bao urged the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) to ensure that this never happens and to guarantee their security after disarmament. It is important, he said, that the disarmament of the various factions takes place on equal terms and called on UNAMSIL to ensure this would happen.