/ 10 June 1997

‘Buy us out’, say Sierra Leone coup leaders

TUESDAY, 4.00PM

SIERRA Leone’s new military leaders, led by Major Johnny Paul Koroma, have offered to relinquish power on payment of an undisclosed sum of money, the country’s ambassador to the United Nations said on Tuesday.

However, a junta representative has dismissed the claim as a “blatant lie” and an attempt “to confuse people”.

The diplomat who made the claim, UN ambassador James Jonah, who has publicly condemned the coup, claimed that ousted president Tejan Kabbah is prepared to accept the deal to prevent further bloodshed.

Meanwhile, the build-up of Nigerian soldiers in Freetown continued on Tuesday as the Nigerians leading the Ecomog peacekeeping force prepare for military action to oust the coup leaders.