1.   That rebel ploy has stymied a full-scale military response and forced the government to consider releasing Sankoh.

2.   That rebel ploy has so far stymied a full-scale military response and forced the government to consider releasing Sankoh, the mysterious and shadowy rebel leader.

3.   The government had rejected the cease-fire, saying it was a rebel ploy to gain time to regroup.

4.   The government rejected the offer, saying the cease-fire was a rebel ploy to regroup.