Analysis: Filling the void in Sierra Leone

India's troops will leave Sierra Leone in phases

By UN correspondent Mark Devenport

After another chaotic week for the troubled United Nations force in Sierra Leone, the head of the UN's Peacekeeping Department claims the organisation is seeing the first positive signs in its search for replacements for the 3,000 soldiers which India is withdrawing.

However Bernard Miyet acknowledged that the Indians were amongst the best trained, equipped and motivated troops in Sierra Leone and would therefore be extremely hard to replace.

Major-General Jetley's replacement is due to be announced soon

India announced its decision earlier this week, claiming it was a routine rotation after two years of service by its military observers and peacekeepers in Sierra Leone.

But the withdrawal of the Indian soldiers follows tensions between the Indian force commander Major-General Vijay Jetley and his Nigerian deputy.

A new commander is expected to be announced shortly - Mr Miyet would not give details about who General Jetley's replacement would be, but made it clear that the new commander will not be from Nigeria, which provides the biggest contingent in the peacekeeping force.

Difficulties

The Indian withdrawal could not have come at a worse time for the UN, which was already experiencing difficulties finding countries willing to provide extra troops to strengthen the force from its current level of 13,000 to 20,500.

Nigeria provides the biggest contingent in the UN force

It is understood the UN has firm expressions of interest from a number of troop contributors, including Ukraine. Bangladesh and Nigeria are also expected to significantly reinforce their contingents.

But there are concerns that Jordan's 1,800 soldiers might not stay on unless at least one Nato country can be persuaded to become involved.

UN officials say this position reflects a concern amongst developing countries that they do not want to be seen as "mercenaries" doing the richer nations' bidding.

Questions for Britain

It is believed that Canada and the Netherlands, who have indicated their willingness to serve in the UN's new peacekeeping force in the Horn of Africa, are being sounded out about switching their commitment to Sierra Leone.

Britain is involved in the search for potential troop contributors, but will have to explain to others why it has so far resisted putting the soldiers it has deployed to Sierra Leone under UN command.

The one reason the UN has to be thankful is that India has indicated its troops will leave in phases in order to enable replacements to arrive.

UN officials now have their work cut out to ensure that other member states fill the void.