_WORLD WATCH______________________________
____________________ Sierra Leone ________________

Disarmament program progressing
Peace process shows promise
More than 40,000 rebels and government soldiers in Sierra Leone have handed in their weapons in a largely successful disarmament program, the Fides news service has reported. Citing UN officials, Fides reported that the weapons had been surrendered as part of a peace pact struck between the government and the rebel Revolutionary Front (RUF) in May 2000.

The disarmament process was threatened when fighting broke out in the diamond-mining town of Kojdu on December 19. But after a meeting with UN officials, rebel leaders and government officials agreed to resume the process—which, if successful, would end a brutal 10-year civil war.

Father Giovanni Ceresoli, an Italian Xaverian missionary, told Fides that despite lingering tensions, the situation in Sierra Leone is returning toward normalcy. Priests and religious are returning to parishes, and the rebuilding process has begun.

“Another important test for peace will be the May election,” Father Ceresoli said. “Our hope is that both sides will renounce the use of violence.”

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