Accra (Greater Accra) 24 May ?99

The ECOMOG Field Commander in Sierra Leone, Major-General Felix Agho Mujakberou, on Sunday made a stopover in Accra enroute to Lome, Togo, to brief the ECOWAS ministerial committee of six on Sierra Leone.

Speaking to journalists at Kotoka International Airport, Maj-Gen. Mujakberou described the atrocities being perpetrated by the RUF rebels as worse than the carnage that happened in Liberia during the seven years of war in that country.

He said they use human shield to cause these atrocities, making it difficult for ECOMOG to disarm them.

Asked whether the cease-fire announced by the warring factions will hold, Maj-Gen. Mujakberou said he was optimistic but noted that this would depend on how Foday Sankoh is able to control his men on the ground.

He said rebel control of diamond areas makes it difficult for them to totally lay down their arms.

Maj-Gen. Mujakberou said ECOWAS' ability to stop the flow of arms to rebels will in a way end the conflict.

He was met on arrival, by Brigadier George Aryiku, Director-General of Joint Operation at the army headquarters (HQ), and Colonel Oduro Apenteng, Director, International Peacekeeping Operation at the HQ.