SIERRA LEONE: ECOMOG SOLDIERS CLOSE TO DEFEATING JUNTA TROOPS

(14 Feb 1998) English/Nat

Ecomog soldiers in Sierra Leone have all but defeated troops loyal to the ousted junta leader Lt-Colonel Johnny Paul Koroma.

With 118 dead, hundreds more wounded and parts of the capital in ruins, the price for restoring democracy the West African state however is mounting.

As fighting in the capital was quelled to all but sporadic resistance, hospital officials on Saturday began to tally the cost in human lives.

Nigerian-led troops in control of Freetown also worked to curb additional bloodshed by angry mobs bent on revenge against Sierra Leone's military junta the Nigerians fought to oust.

It's been a brief but bloody campaign for the mainly Nigerian Ecomog force, and for the war weary troops this was a moment to savour.

As they drove through the shattered streets of the capital Freetown, the people gave them an unequivocal welcome - with Ecomog in control they hope the democracy under their former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah can be restored.

However Ecomog forces do not yet control the whole of the city.

They still have the task of combing the streets of the battered capital and seeking out remaining troops loyal to ousted junta leader Lt-Colonel Johnny Paul Koroma.

Nevertheless the relief of their commander was evident.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

Yes it was a seven day campaign and we're lucky, we made it. I think it was because of very articulate ( ie good) planning.
SUPER CAPTION: Colonel Rauf Apata, Ecomog commander in charge of Freetown

Koroma was still missing on Saturday, while other junta troops continued to lay down their arms.

The crackle of gunfire also could be heard from junta
soldiers holding out in the streets near the city's coastline.

At least 118 people have died during fighting between Nigerian troops
and junta gunmen in recent days.

The majority of the dead and wounded were civilians.

The mainly Nigerian troops now in control of Freetown are part of a West African coalition force charged with returning ex-President Kabbah to power by toppling the military junta that has ruled since his ousting.

It may be the first time outside military might has been used by Africans to restore an elected government, rather than topple it.

Since the junta's May coup, Sierra Leone has been virtually cut off from the rest of Africa and much of the world.

Apart from humanitarian relief supplies, Freetown was shut down by a port and land blockade.

Up to 18 percent of civilians in the country's northern districts face acute malnutrition, CARE, the World Food Programme and other aid groups have warned.

Clandestine radio, meanwhile, said Kabbah was expected to return
to Freetown within two weeks, although the president gave no
specific date in his speech.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...