International NGO ambushed by rebels in Port Loko District

On 17 November, a vehicle belonging to international NGO Children’s Aid Direct carrying out humanitarian operations in Port Loko District, was intercepted by former rebels, according to a report by the Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (HACU). The occupants were stripped, beaten and forced to march into the bush. They were released the following day. This is the first attack on an international aid agency outside a combat situation for over a year and, HACU said, “has severely jeopardised operations in the area”. In his statement, Okelo appealed to all parties to release all remaining abductees throughout the country. In spite of the commitments made in Lome for the release of all prisoners of war and non-combatants, UNAMSIL said, a large number of people including over 2,000 children, are believed to be still detained in various parts of the country.