/ 7 January 1999

‘ECOMOG CONTROLS STRATEGIC AREAS’

SIERRA Leonean Finance Minister James Jonah said on Thursday said that Nigerian-led Ecomog troops are in control of all strategic points in the capital, Freetown, a day after rebels stormed the city. “All the major strategic points are fully under Ecomog control, including the Wilberforce barracks [Ecomog HQ],” Jonah said. “The rebels never made a dent in the western area,” he added, speaking in Lungi, site of the international airport about 20km from Freetown. “We can contain the situation,” Jonah assured, admitting, though, that “events of [Wednesday] came as a surprise.”