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RUF commanders symbolic disarmament in east

    ABIDJAN

    Senior commanders of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) symbolically handed over weapons to the UN force commander in eastern Kailahun District on Friday to mark the end of disarmament, the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) reported.

    Speaking at the ceremony, UNAMSIL Force Commander, Lt-Gen Daniel Opande, said he was happy to see the end of hostilities in Kailahun, where the conflict between the RUF and the government started over a decade ago. Among those who disarmed were colonels Peace Eagle,Tom Sandy, Ben Kenny, Moriba, Satellite, Paramount Chief Sellu and the RUF Party chairman and chairwoman, Eric Robinson and Susan Kulagbanda, the UN said.

    Over 45,000 former combatants have handed over weapons to the authorities under the government's disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme.

    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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