THE number of former fighters in Sierra Leone’s civil war who have handed in their weapons has risen to 21 464, said Dandeson Smith, a representative for the National Disarmament Commission. He said that 12 600 of the former fighters, who have responded since the launching of the disarmament process in May, are working on public works projects, are receiving training, or have found work. The disarmament process, which had been held up at the end of September by the rebel Revolutionary United Front, after complaints that pro-government paramilitary forces were not surrendering their arms, resumed on October 11. The United Nations estimates that there were around 45 000 fighters in the Civil War. – AFP