UN announces Sierra Leone shake-up

Fresh soldiers are sought to replace the Indians

By UN correspondent Mark Devenport

The head of the United Nations peacekeeping department, Bernard Miyet, says the new commander of the UN force in Sierra Leone will not be from Nigeria, which provides the force's biggest contingent.

Mr Miyet announced wide ranging changes in the leadership of its operations in Sierra Leone following a row between the Indian and Nigerian contigents.

The current Indian commander, Major General Vijay Jetley, is due to be replaced soon after Delhi announced it was withdrawing its 3,000 soldiers from Sierra Leone.

General Jetley: Row with Nigerians

UN officials are scrambling to find replacements for the Indian soldiers, who they describe as among the best trained, equipped and motivated troops they have at their disposal in Sierra Leone.

Delhi has portrayed its decision to withdraw the soldiers as a routine matter, but it followed very public differences between General Jetley, and senior Nigerian officers whom the general accused of undermining him.

Future command

Mr Miyet says the new commander will not be Nigerian, partly because the senior UN civilian representative in Sierra Leone already comes from Nigeria.

However, Mr Miyet says there is a need for a shake-up.

"If you want to create a new sense of solidarity, cohesiveness, team spirit, it's important to have changes at the level of the high command," Mr Miyet said.

Questioned about a leaked memo from General Jetley, Mr Miyet said the UN has no evidence that any of its Nigerian peacekeepers has been dealing in confict diamonds.

The UN is not confirming exactly which potential troop contributors it is in contact with, but it is thought Ukraine might provide a fresh unit, whilst Bangladesh and Nigeria are expected to significantly reinforce their contingents.

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

It is believed 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.