UN Peacekeeping Forces in Sierra Leone Encounter Difficulty as UN Approves Diamond Certification

The latest difficulty to plague the peacekeeping forces in Sierra Leone occurred on September 20, 2000 when India announced it would be gradually withdrawing troops from Unamsil (United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone). Meanwhile, the UN Sanctions committee approved a certification system to curb the illegal sales of diamonds used by rebels to finance the violent war. 1. India Withdraws Troops Forming nearly a quarter of the 12,477 - member force, India’s troops make up the largest contingent in the UN’s most extensive current peacekeeping operation. UN officials fear this withdrawal may lead other nations, such as Jordan, to follow through on threats to pull out unless a NATO member joins the mission...[more]