UNAMSIL probes reports of clashes

UNAMSIL human rights officers visited Makeni, eastern Sierra Leone, on Wednesday to investigate RUF charges by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that it is being attacked in the east by rival militiamen of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF), the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) reported.

Investigators interviewed villagers in Masofinia, Yaraiya and Worodu in the districts of Koinadugu and Kono.
UNAMSIL reported that 13 wounded persons from Yaraiya were admitted to the African Islamic Hospital in Makeni.

Mutual suspicion about the true intentions of the protagonists has slowed down the disarmament process in Kono District, unlike a similar process in May in Kambia and Port Loko districts which was completed quickly. UNAMSIL spokeswoman Margaret Novicki told IRIN Friday that the third tripartite meeting of UNAMSIL, the government and RUF on disarmament was due on Tuesday, in the southern town of Bo.

From 2 July, when disarmament began effort in Kono and Bonthe, to 12 July 33 RUF and 89 CDF fighters have disarmed in Kono, and 145 CDF in Bonthe.

Meanwhile, 135 CDF ex-fighters who had been at the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration camp in the eastern town of Daru since 29 May were discharged on 6 July. UNAMSIL reported that 87 left on their own by road for Koidu, some 74 km to the north. UNAMSIL flew another 48 to the town of Koidu. As they left they sang, “Ex-combatants, we are ready for peace, we are no longer going to hold guns.”