UN concerned about ceasefire violations

The United Nations is “extremely concerned about the severity of recent ceasefire violations” in Sierra Leone, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Francis Okelo, said on Tuesday. The violations he cited include active combat, movement of troops and weaponry, human rights abuses against civilians, systematic assault on humanitarian personnel and assets and continued detention of abductees, particularly women and children, according to a statement issued in Freetown. “It has become clear that the RUF/AFRC leadership is not complying with the provisions of the Lome Peace Agreement or cannot adequately control its field commanders and combatants,” the statement said. Okelo said the international community would not accept any subversion of the peace process and would help the government in every conceivable way to maintain stability. He stressed the need for sustained and concerted action at the national, subregional and international levels to prevent any attempts to undermine the peace agreement. Recent reports of ceasefire violations have been condemned by humanitarian, human rights and civic groups, the statement said. Okelo also welcomed the inauguration of a government of national unity that includes ex-rebels and which was sworn in on Tuesday. “It is hoped that this will signal a renewed and sincere commitment by the RUF and AFRC to the Lome peace process,” he said. The former rebels who have now become ministers are Mike Lamin (Trade and Industry), Alimamy Palo Bangura (Energy and Power), Peter Vandy (Lands, Housing, Country Planning and Environment) and A.B.S. Jomo-Jalloh (Tourism and Culture). Four deputy ministers are from the RUF/AFRC: Emmanuel Fabai (Rural Development and Local Government); Susan Lahai (Transport and Communications); Idriss Kamara (Labour, Social Security and Industrial Relations) and Francis Musa (Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Resources).