ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the British government successfully achieved a final end to Sierra Leone civil war by forcing the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) into the disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation process. It examines events that led to the ceasefire in November 2000 and then analyses how this was built upon and led to the ending of hostilities. The chapter examines the aftermath of the conflict before it makes some conclusions. The United Nations Security Council agreement that United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) should be further reinforced and tasked to consolidate territory captured from the RUF by the Sierra Leone Army had a number of implications. Firstly, it was entirely dependent on retaining and attracting credible peacekeepers whose governments were prepared for them to use force and incur casualties if necessary. Secondly, that the Sierra Leone Army and its allies should be built up sufficiently in order that they would be in a position to militarily defeat the RUF.
