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Disarmament resumes in Tongo Field

    ABIDJAN

    Disarmament of former rebel fighters resumed on Sunday in Kenema District in eastern Sierra Leone after the process had stalled for just over a week due to unrest in the area, deputy UN Mission in Sierra Leone spokesman Patrick Coker told IRIN on Monday.

    "On Sunday 209 RUF [Revolutionary United Front] disarmed in Tongo Field" Coker said.

    Former combatants had stopped handing over weapons two to three days after violent clashes erupted on 19 December between individuals involved in diamond mining in Koidu town, he added. Following the dispute, a conciliatory meeting involving representatives from the UN, RUF, pro-government Civil Defence Forces (CDF) and local youths and elders resolved to stop illegal mining within the town.

    "The indication on the ground is that the rank and file are continuing to present themselves for disarmament in the east," Coker said. In Kenema area some 609 CDF disarmed at the weekend and between 24-30 December 176 RUF handed over weapons in the area, he added.

    Disarmament, which was expected to have ended on Sunday, has now been "tentatively pushed back to 5 January," the spokesman said.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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