Hundreds of former combattants hand in their weapons

Hundreds of former pro- and anti-government fighters began handing in their weapons on Wednesday in a symbolic ceremony marking the launch of a programme to disarm some 45,000 ex-combatants. The UN observer mission in Sierra Leone, UNOMSIL, told IRIN on Thursday that all groups were represented in Wednesday’s ceremony: the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and ex-Sierra Leone Army, as well as the pro-government Civil Defence Force (CDF). Officials of the Sierra Leone government, the United Nations, the West African peace force, ECOMOG, and the public were also present in Wilberforce Barracks, where the launch was held. “We were pleasantly surprised at the turnout of the citizens,” Presidential Spokesman Septimus Kaikai told IRIN. The former fighters are now to be taken to the Lungi demobilisation centre for up to 90 days and processed by ECOMOG and UNOMSIL, after which the government will take over. They will receive food, civilian clothing, counseling and medical care. They will also be interviewed on their occupational choices and where they wish to live, UNOMSIL said. At the end of their stay at the centre, the fighters will each be given an allowance of US $300 in two equal tranches, after which they will be expected to fend for themselves, according to UNOMSIL.