The military leader of Sierra Leone, Major Johnny Paul Koroma, has said it is unlikely he will hand power back to the elected civilian government in April next year, as agreed in regional talks last October.

Major Koroma told the BBC West Africa correspondent, Mark Doyle, that this was due to delays in disarming rival factions.

The BBC's Mark Doyle reports on the military stand-off in Sierra Leone (3'26")

In his first interview with a foreign broadcaster, Major Koromo said: "The disarmament should have started on December 1, but up to now, nothing has been done. So naturally, I think we will not meet the time that is stated."

The ousted President of Sierra Leone, Tejan Kabbah, has denounced Major Koroma for going back on an agreement to restore civilian rule.

In a statement, the deposed government said it showed the world that the military was not serious about peace.

It accused the military regime of intending to start a bloodbath with weapons delivered at airstrips it was building in the north.

Relations with Nigeria remain tense

Nigerian troops at a roadblock in Sierra Leone

In his exclusive BBC interview, Major Koroma said it would be better to have a UN peace-keeping force in the country, rather than the Nigerian troops who were sent there after the Sierra Leone military overthrew the government of President Kabbah earlier this year.

There is a tense stand-off between the Nigerian troops, who are based across the bay from the capital, Freetown, and the Sierra Leone military in the capital itself.

Sierra Leone troops pratice without ammunition

Sierra Leone troops have to practice manouevres without using any ammunition in order to avoid provoking the Nigerian forces, making the sounds of bullets and grenades with their voices.

The Nigerian troops say they are implementing an African initiative to restore democracy to Sierra Leone.

The military government says the Nigerians are not a neutral force.

Civilians caught in the cross-fire

Civilians have been caught up in fighting between Nigerian and Sierra Leonean troops

Western countries are reluctant to get involved in African peace-keeping operations.

Sierra Leone has also suffered economically under the blockade enforced by Nigerian troops.

It has forced banks and business to close, and prices have soared beyond the reach of most ordinary people.
 

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