Wife of Liberia's rebel leader says he not for peace

MONROVIA - The wife of Liberia's main rebel leader said on Monday her estranged husband had failed to unite his fighters and was not trying to bring peace to the country ravaged by nearly 14 years of war.

Aisha Keita Conneh, a powerful behind-the-scenes figure within the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd), said she had returned to the capital Monrovia to try to push the peace process forward.

But Aisha Conneh, who was named as Lurd's new chief by a breakaway faction last month, said she did not intend to challenge her husband Sekou Damate Conneh for control of the group.

"I am here as a peacemaker, and mother for all. I am not here to fight for the chairmanship of Lurd," she told reporters.

Concerns about a split in the movement had come at a crucial time in a United Nations disarmament scheme, which is meant to help draw a line under fighting in the West African country.

Disarming some 40,000 fighters is seen as key to creating long-lasting peace in the destroyed nation. A peace deal was agreed last year after former President Charles Taylor stepped down and flew into exile.

Sekou Conneh has been accused by breakaway rebels of betraying the rebel movement for personal enrichment.

Speaking at her residence in Monrovia, where she returned last week after two years' absence, Aisha Conneh said her husband "was not trying to bring peace".

"He's supposed to unite the people and because he could not do so, that is why I have to come myself ... If I see that he's not doing it, I have to get in and bring peace," she said, without elaborating.

She also said she wanted to make sure there was complete disarmament so that Liberian rebels did not slip across borders to fight as mercenaries in other wars.

Government fighters started giving up their weapons in December but the process was hampered by a row over how much money fighters should get in return for their guns, which sparked days of riots in Monrovia.

The process was suspended over the Christmas break. It is due to resume on Tuesday with an information campaign. The handing over of rebel weapons is planned to begin next month.

- REUTERS