SIERRA LEONE: REBELS LOYAL TO OLD REGIME STILL FIGHTING ECOMOG

(16 Feb 1998) Natural Sound

The leader of Sierra Leone's overthrown military junta fled the West African country on Sunday, leaving for neighbouring Liberia by boat.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian-led intervention force continued restoring law and order and threatened to shoot looters on sight.

The ECOMOG troops were still fighting soldiers loyal to the old regime in a few areas of the capital, Freetown, which they captured over the weekend.

APTV had the only international television crew with the forces as they advanced on the last pockets of rebel resistance.

Here, six motorised units of the Nigerian-led intervention force ECOMOG help the force consolidate its grip on Sierra Leone after the weekend victory over rebel forces.

This is Goderich, a traditionally rebel area on the west of the capital, Freetown.

Rebel forces loyal to the overthrown junta are still fighting ECOMOG here and in some other areas.

Hence the show of ECOMOG force.

Local civilians seem to welcome that.

Following the weekend's victory, the peacekeepers now want to start restoring law and order.

Looters will be shot on sight, they announced on Sunday.

These troops launched their offensive last week to drive the country's military junta from power.

It appears to be the first time that outside African military forces have been used to restore an elected African government, rather than topple it.

#SierraLeone #rebels #clashes
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