Security Council wants funding for ex-fighters

The United Nations Security Council called on Thursday for more money to back programmes aimed at reintegrating some 47,000 former fighters back into society, UN News reported. The appeal was made following a closed-door briefing by the head of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Oluyemi Adeniji. He warned the Council of the potential dangers of leaving thousands of young men with little to do, waiting for the reintegration projects to begin. He said there was still a US $7-million shortfall for such projects. "I asked the Security Council to call the attention of donors to this," Adeniji told reporters after the briefing. The Council also welcomed the completion of disarmament process and the progress being made with consolidating peace in Sierra Leone, adding that governmental authority must be extended throughout the country. In addition the Council said it would extend UNAMSIL's mandate until the end of September, as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended in his latest report. However, the Council expressed concern about the fragile situation in the Mano River Union countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra, and looked forward to the follow-up of the results of the recent summit between the presidents of the three countries.