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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General Welcomes Sierra Leone Peace Move

21 November 1996


The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, today warmly welcomed the joint statement issued yesterday by Sierra Leone's President Tejan Kabbah and Corporal Foday Sankoh to sign a draft Peace Agreement on Friday, 29 November.

In a statement issued in London, Chief Anyaoku said:

"I warmly welcome the joint statement issued yesterday by President Tejan Kabbah and Corporal Foday Sankoh, leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), to the effect that they are to meet in Abidjan on Friday, 29 November 1996 to sign the draft Peace Agreement negotiated in May. The statement is a triumph of statesmanship and courage and I congratulate President Kabbah and Corporal Sankoh for it. For the people of Sierra Leone, the declaration heralds the dawn of the long-awaited peace, and in the wider Commonwealth, the news will be received with joy.

"Nevertheless, the parties have still to make a reality of the commitment. The urgent need of the hour, therefore, is to ensure that the hopes aroused by the joint statement are not betrayed. Accordingly, I urge them to continue with all resolution and to keep faith with the people of Sierra Leone by signing and proceeding to implement the draft Peace Agreement on the agreed date. The Commonwealth has contributed to the efforts to bring the parties to the table and to help them negotiate an honourable end to the conflict. It will continue to do all it can to assist the Government and people of Sierra Leone in the enormous task of reconstruction that lies ahead."

Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678

96/61 21 November 1996

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int