Ecomog on Red Alert Following Rebel Influx into Capital

Africa News Service, 16 July 1999

Freetown (The Progress, July 16, 1999) - This week the Commander of the mainly Nigerian peacekeeping force[ECOMOG] Major General Felix Mujakpero has placed his men under full alert fuelling an influx of former soldiers and rebels of the Revolutionary United Front[RUF] into the capital. In a brief chat with some of his fighters, Mujakpero called on his men not to relax in their peace keeping duty.

He said it was during period like these when the peace keepers should be on red alert noting that the signing of the peace accord doesn't mean one should not expect the unexpected. His statement came as concern continues to be raised over the influx of rebels into the city.

Down town, huge barricade could be seen mounted by the peace keepers and commuters searched for arms and ammunition. A peace accord signed days back makes provision for disarming all combatants and that the exercise is to be carried out by a neutral force comprising of UNOMSIL and ECOMOG.

Copyright 1999 The Progress. Distributed via Africa News Online.