Government invokes measures to stop involvement in Sierra Leone

The Liberian government has announced a series of measures aimed at “discouraging Liberians from complicating the Sierra Leone crisis”, Star Radio reported yesterday. Among the measures were an amnesty for Liberians who were fighting in Sierra Leone. The government gave a 45-day deadline, beginning Saturday, for the Liberians to cooperate with a “voluntary repatriation programme”. The government it would work with the Sierra Leone authorities to arrest and prosecute Liberians who did not turn themselves in. In a further move, the Liberian government said it would relocate refugee camps currently situated near the Sierra Leone border. Star Radio today quoted the government as saying the measure was a bid to discourage attempts to use the camps for subversive activities against Sierra Leone. Security forces were on full alert to patrol the borders, the government added.