Peacekeepers Push To Oust Junta In Sierra Leone Nigerian-Led Force Advances On Capital, Trying To Restore Elected President

West African peacekeepers trying to restore Sierra Leone’s elected government advanced toward the capital Saturday and reportedly captured two towns in the other direction.

The percussion from gunbattles a few miles away shook homes in the center of Freetown. Residents hid inside their homes, fearing the fighting might move into the city itself. Roads out of the city were reportedly blocked by soldiers from both sides.

The Nigerian-led peacekeepers have been enforcing a blockade meant to drive out the military junta that ousted President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah in a bloody coup in May.

The junta bowed to diplomatic pressure in October and signed a peace plan, agreeing to allow Kabbah’s return by April 22. In return, Kabbah was to promise amnesty for the coup leaders.

But Lt. Col. Johnny Koroma, who heads the junta, has been giving contradictory signals about whether he will allow Kabbah’s return.

The junta has accused the peacekeepers of launching attacks to spark a war.

A radio station loyal to Kabbah said Saturday that the peacekeepers, who are based just outside Freetown, were advancing toward the capital as well as taking towns in the opposite direction.

The station said the peacekeepers had taken the town of Waterloo, about 20 miles east of Freetown, as well as the Bengwema Military Training Camp, about six miles further to the east.

In a radio interview, Col. Maxwell Khobe, the Nigerian commander of the peacekeeping force, suggested that the junta should flee.

“Those of you who are gentlemen of honor, please just take your boots and find your way to other countries,” he said.