UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
SIERRA LEONE: Shelpidi calls for support for ECOMOG
ABIDJAN, 29 March (IRIN) - The West African peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone is "overstretched" and needs more support from the international community, outgoing ECOMOG commander Major General Timothy Shelpidi was quoted by news reports as saying on Friday.
Shelpidi, who was speaking at a farewell press briefing
in Freetown, said it was a source of major regret that
not enough manpower and logistical support had been
provided. This had partly enabled the rebels in Sierra
Leone to attack Freetown in January, he said.
Responding to criticism that his forces had not provided
enough security for Freetown residents, Shelpidi said
that "you must first protect yourself before expecting
ECOMOG to protect you", according to the BBC.
Shelpidi's replacement, Major General Felix Mujakperuo,
formally started his duties on Monday as force commander,
an ECOMOG spokesman told IRIN.
[ENDS]
[IRIN-WA: Tel: +225 217366 Fax: +225 216335 e-mail: irin-wa@ocha.unon.org ]
Item: irin-english-530
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Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 1999
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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