Sierra Leone: rebel group hands over more child soldiers to UN mission

The rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone has released more child soldiers in the eastern part of the country, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country said today in Freetown.

In a ceremony in Kailahun, the RUF handed over 59 more children associated with the fighting forces, including four girls, to the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). The latest release brings to 828 the number of children handed over by the RUF to the UN Mission since 25 May.

The event was witnessed by members of the National Child Protection Committee, including the Ministry of Social Welfare, UNICEF, and Save the Children, as well as the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration.

The children were flown by UNAMSIL to an interim care centre in Daru operated by Save the Children.