ECOWAS calls for release of peacekeepers

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday demanded that the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) “immediately and without conditions” restore the freedom of movement of the 233 UN staff it has blocked since May in Kailahun, eastern Sierra Leone, the UN said. The ECOWAS decision followed discussions on Monday between UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and heads of delegation from ECOWAS countries, including Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo, the UN reported. They discussed the need to establish coordination mechanisms to strengthen the cohesiveness of the UN peacekeeping force and agreed that Annan would hold a meeting soon with the commanders of the armed forces of Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria, the ECOWAS states contributing troops to UNAMSIL. According to Reuters, a three-day meeting of West African states to discuss modalities for sending troops to Sierra Leone will take place in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, on 19 July. In May, ECOWAS offered more than 3,000 additional troops to the UNAMSIL force.