Sierra Leone in the Process of Transformation
After the ten years senseless and bloody war in sierra Leone, it is fitting now to put things in order as the ravage and plundered nation watches out for development. The ten-year drought had pushed thousands of sierra Leoneans to the edge of survival and has been an equal partner to war in causing farmers and other workers to flee their homes.
As the government had long since declared the end of the ten-year war, and the shifting of the long imposed curfew, it simply signifies that Sierra Leone is war free. For the people to be sure of this statement, the president has to move on with a symbolic ceremony by burning the weapons and ammunition that have been taken from the warring factions. This ceremony first launched in the western area Freetown after which the President proceeded to other provincial towns and the DDR centres where the disarmament took place. All these symbolic activities were witnessed by a majority of Sierra Leoneans and more especially dignitaries from the neighbouring countries like Liberia. Monitors and representatives of the UN Secretary General and the former Ghanaian President John Kufour were all present. The same exercise took place in other parts of the country where the president himself witnessed the momentum of joy. All this was a foundation for a transformation in Sierra Leone, because for the past ten years Sierra Leone was totally polluted with different types of war equipment like AK 47, small arms, grenades RPG bombs.
Also, for Sierra Leone to be well transformed there is the need to enforce the principle of crime and punishment such as that which the ICC and the UN has come up with by introducing a special court, which to bring forward culprits or those who bear the greatest responsibility. The power or jurisdiction of this special court has been covering crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). If the above can be taken into consideration, with real justice it will be an example for other African countries as well for the Sierra Leonean. Moreover, the seriousness of this court will put fear in many Sierra Leonean not to become involved in any other rebellious acts again because they will know what the outcome will be. So, it's clear that a constitutional reform can also help to transform a nation as in the case of Rwanda (Genocide). As a matter of fact laws need to be enforced, for without the enforcement of laws a lots of crimes will be committed as in the 10 year civil war where thousands of people had their limbs chopped, women and children were raped and many other serious human right abuses were committed. So, it's high time for the judiciary to step in.
As Sierra Leone is declared a developing country, and many Sierra Leonean are unemployed, it is fitting for organisations, companies and investors to come to assist in achieving this transformation. In Sierra Leone today, about 60% of Sierra Leonean are unemployed. This can create some internal problems like armed robbery, Prostitution, others using witch guns (Fangay) to be employed or be promoted while others are easily becoming traumatised.
As a matter of fact, it will be difficult for the grass-root sierra Leonean to be self-sufficient and self reliant. For this reason, the NCDDR has thought it fit to train almost all the ex-combatants in various works of life to prevent them being idle again. So, many ex-fighters have been trained some as drivers, carpenters, builders, and mechanics whilst others are working in recognised offices. All these are steps towards transformation because if the ex-combatants are occupied nobody will be able to influence them to do evil.
It will be partial if only the ex-combatants were treated well considering the victims. It was base on this light, the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Sierra Leonean Red Cross run a program called Job Aid for War Amputee (JAWA). In this program, the IFRC/SLRCS registered all the amputees in the country, some were trained and offered job in various offices serving as receptionist, security guards and messengers. This joint body IFRC/SLRCS went to see that amputees are employed. All this was gearing towards transformation.
Similarly, on my recent visit to the eastern town of Kenema, I talked to many farmers who are ready to go back to their home towns to till the land but I got to know that they need support from organisations and the government. It was confirmed to me that ICRC was helping with agricultural tools and equipment together with seedling. Most of the beneficiaries of the ICRC assistance were being giving to women who are the most vulnerable victims of the long terrible conflict in the country. Others confirm to me that the civil war and mining have led to the decline in food production. Mining in the sense, that almost all over the country miners are digging everywhere, destroying the land so at the end of the day, there will be no good production because the land has been destroy through mining. Some of the farmers recommended that the government should stop mining in some areas in order to bring back agricultural productivity, others are pleading for agricultural organisations to help with seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural tools towards the transformation of the country. According to the view of the people in the eastern town of Kenema, they said: "one of the first and urgent priorities of the international community should be to assist farmers and increase agricultural productions".
It is also clear that this is a critical time to focus on psycho social or mental health concerns in Sierra Leone. Due to the past brutal war, lots of people have been traumatised; others have gone crazy and mad. According to the view of Sierra Leone, about 50% of sierras Leoneans are traumatised, some because of the death of their loved ones, others because of the burning and destruction of their houses and properties and the amputation of others that have caused more traumas. It will be good if at this stage organisations with the mandate of trauma-healing and counselling come in as the Centre for Victim for Torture (CVT) has done already, to assist the nation towards transformation.
If Sierra Leone as a nation is to transformed the following should be immediately treated:
- Agricultural inputs. Procurement and distribution of resettlements, farm inputs and food for work should be planned. The formation of co-operatives to share the use of tractors and other motorised equipment should also be promoted.
- Fertiliser. As mining has destroyed most of the land in Sierra Leone, the addition of fertiliser to farmers will increase yield.
- Seeds. Farmers need seed to plant like wheat and other crops just as the ICRC was doing assisting the farmers with seedlings and other equipment.
- Food for work/cash for work. In the area of public workers programs, like the repair of roads, bridges, rebuilding of schools and burnt public structures and offices, the Government and organisations are encouraged to plan the system of food for work and cash for workers.
- Shelters. As reconciliation is going on, returnees from neighbouring countries and IDP's will need shelter materials to repair or rebuild their homes.
- Transportation as Sierra Leonean, in order to speed up with agricultural productivity in the country there is a great need for Government and Organisations to provide transportation
- Food aid. For the time being, Sierra Leonean will need food aid assistance until they go through their first or second successful harvest.
As the government had long since declared the end of the ten-year war, and the shifting of the long imposed curfew, it simply signifies that Sierra Leone is war free. For the people to be sure of this statement, the president has to move on with a symbolic ceremony by burning the weapons and ammunition that have been taken from the warring factions. This ceremony first launched in the western area Freetown after which the President proceeded to other provincial towns and the DDR centres where the disarmament took place. All these symbolic activities were witnessed by a majority of Sierra Leoneans and more especially dignitaries from the neighbouring countries like Liberia. Monitors and representatives of the UN Secretary General and the former Ghanaian President John Kufour were all present. The same exercise took place in other parts of the country where the president himself witnessed the momentum of joy. All this was a foundation for a transformation in Sierra Leone, because for the past ten years Sierra Leone was totally polluted with different types of war equipment like AK 47, small arms, grenades RPG bombs.
Also, for Sierra Leone to be well transformed there is the need to enforce the principle of crime and punishment such as that which the ICC and the UN has come up with by introducing a special court, which to bring forward culprits or those who bear the greatest responsibility. The power or jurisdiction of this special court has been covering crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). If the above can be taken into consideration, with real justice it will be an example for other African countries as well for the Sierra Leonean. Moreover, the seriousness of this court will put fear in many Sierra Leonean not to become involved in any other rebellious acts again because they will know what the outcome will be. So, it's clear that a constitutional reform can also help to transform a nation as in the case of Rwanda (Genocide). As a matter of fact laws need to be enforced, for without the enforcement of laws a lots of crimes will be committed as in the 10 year civil war where thousands of people had their limbs chopped, women and children were raped and many other serious human right abuses were committed. So, it's high time for the judiciary to step in.
As Sierra Leone is declared a developing country, and many Sierra Leonean are unemployed, it is fitting for organisations, companies and investors to come to assist in achieving this transformation. In Sierra Leone today, about 60% of Sierra Leonean are unemployed. This can create some internal problems like armed robbery, Prostitution, others using witch guns (Fangay) to be employed or be promoted while others are easily becoming traumatised.
As a matter of fact, it will be difficult for the grass-root sierra Leonean to be self-sufficient and self reliant. For this reason, the NCDDR has thought it fit to train almost all the ex-combatants in various works of life to prevent them being idle again. So, many ex-fighters have been trained some as drivers, carpenters, builders, and mechanics whilst others are working in recognised offices. All these are steps towards transformation because if the ex-combatants are occupied nobody will be able to influence them to do evil.
It will be partial if only the ex-combatants were treated well considering the victims. It was base on this light, the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Sierra Leonean Red Cross run a program called Job Aid for War Amputee (JAWA). In this program, the IFRC/SLRCS registered all the amputees in the country, some were trained and offered job in various offices serving as receptionist, security guards and messengers. This joint body IFRC/SLRCS went to see that amputees are employed. All this was gearing towards transformation.
Similarly, on my recent visit to the eastern town of Kenema, I talked to many farmers who are ready to go back to their home towns to till the land but I got to know that they need support from organisations and the government. It was confirmed to me that ICRC was helping with agricultural tools and equipment together with seedling. Most of the beneficiaries of the ICRC assistance were being giving to women who are the most vulnerable victims of the long terrible conflict in the country. Others confirm to me that the civil war and mining have led to the decline in food production. Mining in the sense, that almost all over the country miners are digging everywhere, destroying the land so at the end of the day, there will be no good production because the land has been destroy through mining. Some of the farmers recommended that the government should stop mining in some areas in order to bring back agricultural productivity, others are pleading for agricultural organisations to help with seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural tools towards the transformation of the country. According to the view of the people in the eastern town of Kenema, they said: "one of the first and urgent priorities of the international community should be to assist farmers and increase agricultural productions".
It is also clear that this is a critical time to focus on psycho social or mental health concerns in Sierra Leone. Due to the past brutal war, lots of people have been traumatised; others have gone crazy and mad. According to the view of Sierra Leone, about 50% of sierras Leoneans are traumatised, some because of the death of their loved ones, others because of the burning and destruction of their houses and properties and the amputation of others that have caused more traumas. It will be good if at this stage organisations with the mandate of trauma-healing and counselling come in as the Centre for Victim for Torture (CVT) has done already, to assist the nation towards transformation.
If Sierra Leone as a nation is to transformed the following should be immediately treated:
- Agricultural inputs. Procurement and distribution of resettlements, farm inputs and food for work should be planned. The formation of co-operatives to share the use of tractors and other motorised equipment should also be promoted.
- Fertiliser. As mining has destroyed most of the land in Sierra Leone, the addition of fertiliser to farmers will increase yield.
- Seeds. Farmers need seed to plant like wheat and other crops just as the ICRC was doing assisting the farmers with seedlings and other equipment.
- Food for work/cash for work. In the area of public workers programs, like the repair of roads, bridges, rebuilding of schools and burnt public structures and offices, the Government and organisations are encouraged to plan the system of food for work and cash for workers.
- Shelters. As reconciliation is going on, returnees from neighbouring countries and IDP's will need shelter materials to repair or rebuild their homes.
- Transportation as Sierra Leonean, in order to speed up with agricultural productivity in the country there is a great need for Government and Organisations to provide transportation
- Food aid. For the time being, Sierra Leonean will need food aid assistance until they go through their first or second successful harvest.
