UN mission in Sierra Leone reports disarmament progress in Moyamba district

The peace process in Sierra Leone has taken another step forward as combatants with the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) began turning in their weapons in Moyamba District, according to the United Nations mission in the country.

On Wednesday, CDF forces in the southern province participated in a symbolic ceremony presided over by Oluyemi Adeniji, the head of the UN mission, which is known by its acronym UNAMSIL.

"As you disarm, consider yourselves as brothers and sisters and reconcile with each as it happened in Port Loko and Kambia Districts where disarmament has ended," said the UNAMSIL chief.

Following the ceremony, he destroyed an AK-47 rifle to formally start the disabling of weapons at a UN reception centre, where more AK-47s, FN rifles and other small arms were then destroyed.

The disarmament of CDF forces in Moyamba came as the result of a communiqué signed earlier this week by the Government and the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF), which also agreed to disarm its forces in the northern province of Koinadugu. According to UNAMSIL, preparations are under way for that process to commence as scheduled on 20 August.