Sierra Leone: reintegration of ex-fighters a key phase, UN mission chief says

The reintegration and rehabilitation of ex-combatants is a vital phase requiring the help of the international community, the head of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) told a high-level Canadian delegation visiting the country to observe the ongoing disarmament of former soldiers.

Briefing the visiting officials on Monday, Oluyemi Adeniji said that more than 37,000 ex-combatants had been disarmed since 18 May and more than 400 child ex-combatants had been released during the first week of disarmament.

At the same time, Mr. Adeniji underscored the need for international assistance to Sierra Leone, noting that the ex-combatants were only receiving re-insertion benefits and those were not enough.

The visiting delegation, which was headed by Lt. Gen. Romeo A. Dallaire, the Special Adviser on War-Affected Children to the Canadian Minister for International Cooperation, was also briefed by the Commander of UNAMSIL's Peacekeeping Force, Lt. Gen. Daniel I. Opande. According to Mr. Opande, the Mission has destroyed most of the weapons that have been turned in by the ex-combatants in good condition.