ICRC has rejected accusations that it had used communications equipment to aid the rebels in Freetown. In a statement received today by IRIN, ICRC said the claims were “without foundation and undermine the ICRC’s reputation for strict neutrality.” The government ordered remaining ICRC delegates in Freetown to leave the country on 13 January. The statement said that ICRC’s communications equipment were an “indispensable tool in aiding the victims of conflict” and were used solely for maintaining contact with and ensuring the safety of its field staff. The statement also said that the authorities had not yet provided any information on six ICRC national employees arrested by ECOMOG earlier this month.
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