SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS TO REBELS IN SIERRA LEONE TO LAY DOWN ARMS AND JOIN PEACE PROCESS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS

28 December 1998

Press Release
SG/SM/6852
AFR/123

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS TO REBELS IN SIERRA LEONE TO LAY DOWN ARMS AND JOIN PEACE PROCESS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS

19981228 The following statement was issued on Sunday, 27 December, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is extremely concerned by the latest news of rebel armed activities in Sierra Leone. He condemns the refusal of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and junta remnants to lay down their arms, as well as their continuing military actions. He wishes to take this opportunity to emphasize the unacceptability of attempting to overthrow duly-elected governments by force. He appeals to the rebels to lay down their arms at once and to enter the peace process without preconditions.

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