RUF rebels kidnap Italian priests

Italian missionary, Vittorio Mosile, kidnapped by RUF rebels

Reports say two Italian catholic priests have been kidnapped by the rebel militia, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) from a Guinean village near the Sierra Leone border.

The two men were taken hostage during a heavy exchange of fire between the rebels and the Guinea Conakry army along the common border.

According to the AP, the two priests were identified as Vittorio Mosile, 64 and Franco Manganello, 62.

RUF rebels go to Pamalap in Guinea Conakry for frequent supplies

They were taken hostage in Pamalap town together with an unknown number of people believed to be Sierra Leoneans.

Last month, 11 members of the Royal Irish Regiment, together with one Sierra Leonean solider, were captured by the militia group the West Side Boys on 25 August.

Five of the British soldiers were released last week.

UN sanctions

RUF members are said to make frequent trips to the border town where they obtain supplies in exchange for diamonds dug out of Sierra Leone.

RUF rebels exchange diamonds for supplies

However reports say, a new military commander appointed by the Guinea Conakry government has brought an end to the practice.

The new commander is said to be opposed to it because of the UN sanctions against illegal diamond sales from Sierra Leone.

Aid workers in Pamalap say the Conakry army has repulsed the rebels who had resorted to attacks against refugees camped in the town.

A senior figure of the Catholic church in Sierra Leone, Bishop George Biguzzi has appealed to the rebels to immediately release the two priests.