ECOMOG mobilising amid rumours of rebel attack

The West African intervention force ECOMOG is reportedly mobilising in the capital Freetown, as rumours circulated of an imminent rebel attack on the city, according to news reports. AFP quoted spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Olukolade who said residents had been asked to remain indoors “in case fighting breaks out”. He added that the general mobilisation was aimed at “maintaining security” and “preventing any action against residents”. Troops had been deployed at strategic points, he said. According to AFP, the rumours appeared to emanate from state radio broadcasts warning that Sam Bockarie, field commander of the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) was planning a surprise attack. Some reports said hundreds of people were trying to flee Freetown. According to Star radio’s Freetown correspondent, many of them were heading for Guinea and Gambia. On Wednesday, Sierra Leone army chief, General Maxwell Khobe, warned that if necessary, ECOMOG would fire on civilians if rebels trying to inflitrate the city were using them as human shields. The British defence ministry meanwhile denied allegations that British troops were involved in planning military offensives in Sierra Leone. AFP claimed dozens of Royal Marine commandos were seen at ECOMOG headquarters in Freetown “poring over maps”. However, according to news reports, a ministry spokesman said British soldiers were simply escorting the British high commissioner and helping with humanitarian operations.