SIERRA LEONE: Clashes Reported Between Army and Nigerian Troops

By Lansana Fofana Reprint | | Print |

Lansana Fofana

FREETOWN, Jun 2 1997 (IPS) - Skirmishes Monday between Nigerian and Sierra Leonean troops appeared to indicate that deadlocked diplomatic efforts to have ousted president Ahmed Tejan Kabbah reinstalled are giving way to a military operation to this end.

The sound of gunfire could be heard continously in Freetown following the bombardment early Monday of targets here by Nigerian naval ships stationed off Freetown.

The Nigerth members of the Sierra Leonean army supported by rebels of the Revolutionary United Frhousands of Sierra Leonean soldiers and their new RUF allies took over the streets in what they called ‘Operation Resist Intervention’. slip out a message to his troops instructing them to support the AFRC. Since then, rebels have flocked to Freetown from camps in the bush, where they had stayed despite a November 1996 peace agreement with the Tejan Kabbah’s government.

The current climate of fear, violence and insee country’s previous government.

Western and African diplomats as well as localn condemned by the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), to return to the barracks. However, hopes that a compromise would be reached were dashed on to quit but the likelihood is becoming slimmer and I’m sure that is why we’ve had this bombardment.”

The shelling caused panic among capital resideld IPS. “Whatever is happening I am not sure but more of this will send me to my grave.”