Britain to Withdraw Troops from Sierra Leone by Mid-June

Strategic Insights -

British Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon announced on Friday that the country is on track to withdraw its troops from Sierra Leone by mid-June, despite a plea from the president of the West African country, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, for them to stay. This decision comes as the British paratroopers who were initially deployed to the country are returning to barracks, with their role now being taken by marine commandos. Meanwhile, President Kabbah has vowed to try the captured leader of the rebel forces, Foday Sankoh, for his role in the conflict, which has seen thousands of civilians brutally hacked.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British government has announced plans to withdraw its troops from Sierra Leone by mid-June, despite a plea from President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah for them to stay.
  • The decision to withdraw comes as the British paratroopers who were initially deployed to the country are returning to barracks, with their role now being taken by marine commandos.
  • President Kabbah has vowed to try Foday Sankoh, the captured leader of the rebel forces, for his role in the conflict, which has seen thousands of civilians brutally hacked.
  • The United Nations peacekeeping force, which is supposed to build to a strength of 13,000 by next month, is still in the process of being reinforced.
  • British Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon stated that the main responsibility for security should fall on the United Nations force.
  • The British government has promised to help train the Sierra Leone Army.
  • President Kabbah has spoken positively about the prospects for peace, stating that a vast majority of Mr. Sankoh's followers seem interested in "really putting this thing behind us".

Statistics:

  • 13,000: The strength of the United Nations peacekeeping force by next month.
  • Thousands: The number of civilians hacking victims.
  • Hundreds: The number of United Nations peacekeepers kidnapped and forced to flee.
  • Hundreds: The number of British paratroopers who have returned to barracks and have been replaced by marine commandos.
  • Mid-June: The projected date of the British withdrawal from Sierra Leone.

Sources:

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  • BBC Radio