The military leader of Sierra Leone, Major Johnny Paul Koroma, has said it is unlikely he will hand back power to civilians on April 22 next year, the date set by a regional agreement. Major Koroma, speaking in a BBC interview, said delays in steps leading up to the handover, especially on disarmament, meant he did not think the deadline could be met. Major Koroma's statement is likely to cause considerable controversy as his seizure of power was condemned by civilians in Sierra Leone, throughout Africa and at the United Nations in New York. Nigeria is currently spearheading a military blockade of Sierra Leone to try and force the regime to give up power. Our West Africa correspondent, Mark Doyle, interviewed Major Koroma in Sierra Leone. He sent this report from Abidjan:

The coup d'etat in Sierra Leone in May overthrew an elected civilian government at a time when instability in Africa was trying everyone's patience. Unusually, African governments themselves condemned the coup, a position which would have been unthinkable a few years ago when governments here held to the principle of non-interference in the sovereign affairs of other states.

The United Nations Security Council approved a fuel and arms embargo against Sierra Leone, which is being policed by land, sea and air and in muscular fashion by Nigeria. But now, in a defiant stand, Major Koroma says he doesn't think the handover to civilians, planned under a regional agreement signed by the junta, can take place on time next April.

Among his reasons for this was that the disarmament of Sierra Leonean factions, which is supposed to be monitored by a West African force dominated by Nigeria, has not started.

Major Koroma: said: "The disarmament should have started December 1. And up til now nothing has been done. So if they have delayed the agenda, they will not meet the targets as stated in the accord."

Asked if there will be a handover on April 22, he said: "I don't think so."

Although Major Koroma did not say he won't hand over power at all, his statement is likely to be seen outside his immediate circle as deliberate stalling.