Army deploys in Kambia

Sierra Leonean troops crossed the Mange Bridge into Kambia early on Tuesday as they began to reassert control in parts of the Northern Province that have hitherto been controlled by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels, army spokesman Major John Milton told IRIN. “A battalion will be stationed in Kambia District so that government control will be fully established,” he said.
The deployment marked the beginning of a new era of peace in the area, which has been bombarded by Guinean troops in hot pursuit of RUF rebels, and the end of the disarmament of irregular forces, which began there on 18 May. Milton said the police would also move into Kambia within the next 24 hours.

He said the disarmament and deployment had taken place without loss of life and that this brightened the prospects for peace in the country. “I am very hopeful that this will be replicated in other areas such as Kono and Kailahun,” he told IRIN. Disarmament has started in the eastern district of Kono, Milton said, but should accelerate in 10 days after RUF commanders have had time to brief their fighters on the process.
The chiefs of defence staff of the Guinean and Sierra Leonean armed forces are due to meet in the border town of Pamelap, Milton said, “to cement the deployment and recognise our presence.”