Sierra Leonian Military Leaders Give Conditions

Accra, July 8, Military leaders of Sierra Leone have set two conditions for their leaving office . These are disbandment, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants into the army and the reintegration of all refugees and other displaced persons in their respective communities. "If these conditions could be met, the regime will be ready to step down within four to six months," Mr. Victor Gbeho, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, told diplomats in Accra today. Mr. Gbeho was briefing the diplomats on the current state of affairs in the Sierra Leonian crisis, He said the demands were made during negotiations between the Sierra Leonian leaders who took over power last March through a coup d'etat and Ghana government officials. He said although Ghana has condemned the coup, it will work in concert with other West African states to ensure the earliest restoration of constitutional rule in that country. Mr. Gbeho said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formed a sub-regional committee to negotiate an end to the crisis in Sierra Leone. He said the sub-committee will request the Security Council of the United Nations to impose sanctions on the regime in Freetown to ensure a speedy return to constitutional rule. The sub-committee will report back to the Chairman of ECOWAS after a meeting with representatives of the Freetown regime. On May 25, Major Johnny Paul Koroma staged a coup that overthrew the constitutionally elected government of Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. The coup has been condemned by world leaders who have demanded the return to constitutional rule and the reinstatement of the deposed government. The coup leaders have refused this demand leading to a stand- off between Freetown and other world leaders. While some leaders have advocated a military solution to the impasse, Ghana has called for a negotiated settlement although it still holds the military option open.