USAID Transition Initiatives: Sierra Leone Field Report 

"At Mile 91, locally based Master Trainers and Learning Facilitators in the Education for Peace Program are at the forefront of efforts to persuade rebels to join the peace process. They have banned together to organize an NGO. Entitled the Organization for Peace and Reconciliation for Development (OPARD), it has been instrumental in facilitating recent confidence-building meetings between RUF and UNAMSIL. They serve as 'barefoot emissaries' of peace, shuttling between UNAMSIL and the rebels, and encouraging peace building and reconciliation activities within Mile 91 itself. As a result of their positive contribution, the entire community fully appreciates the Education for Peace Program. Citizens have called for more training programs to benefit the growing number of unofficial ex-combatants, not involved in the DDR program, who are trickling back to the area to join their families." 

Source USAID Transition Initiatives: Sierra Leone Field Report

UNAMSIL Press Briefing - Wednesday, 29 November 2000

UNAMSIL Spokesman Hirut Befecadu and military spokesman Lt. Commander Patrick Coker  

Q: What can you say about UNAMSIL's efforts in trying to contact the RUF since the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement?

A: I believe the efforts on UNAMSIL's side is not fruitless. The efforts on the two sides -- Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF were inputs that come in which UNAMSIL monitors. The military observers on the ground have had few contacts. We are anticipating a meeting between the highest cadre of the RUF and UNAMSIL. As you will recall, there were members of the RUF who went to sign the Agreement. I presume that the articles that were incorporated in the Agreement are too detailed for reaction the following day. We trust that the RUF are putting together the weapons and vehicles taken from UNAMSIL, as they have indicated. We have also received unconfirmed reports that the RUF has started repairs on the roads which were dug up. UNAMSIL military observers have also on few occasions made contacts with some of the RUF cadre, and they have indicated that they are interested in the peace process. The RUF have been told that we will be looking forward to positive reactions on their side. Some NGOs, especially OPARD at Mile 91 are also helping in establishing these contacts, and we hope that very soon these contacts will yield very good results.  

Source UNAMSIL Press Briefing - Wednesday, 29 November 2000  

UNAMSIL Press Briefing - Monday, 8 January 2001
UNAMSIL Spokesman Hirut Befecadu

Q: You mentioned the presence of the Director of OPARD in the meeting between UNAMSIL and the RUF. Can you elaborate on the role played by OPARD?

A: I am glad that you asked this question. The Director of OPARD has been very instrumental and was one key person that went between the UNAMSIL and the RUF representation on a constant contact basis. I would like to actually commend the role played by OPARD, especially the Director in making our contacts possiblead

Source:. UNAMSIL Press Briefing - Monday, 8 January 2001