Transition Initiatives: Sierra Leone Field Report
December 2000
Program Description
OTI's program consists of the following activities:
- Technical assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone for development of a new diamond policy and operations, to enable effective control and monitoring of "conflict" diamonds.
- The Reintegration Training and Education for
Peace Program, a two-year, nationwide, non-formal education initiative
for approximately 40,000 ex-combatant and non-combatant young adults,
combining reintegration orientation and counseling, life-skills
training, vocational counseling, agriculture skills development, civic
education, and functional literacy training. This program focuses
simultaneously on reintegration of war-torn communities and remedial
education for youth by-passed by schooling for nearly 10 years. The
program is being expanded to include a second track called Education for
Nation-Building, an adult non-formal education initiative for public and
private sector leaders, nationwide.
- Continuation of the 1999 small grants program,
especially related to setbacks in the peace process in May 2000,
reconciliation, reintegration of war-affected women and girls,
development of community leadership, and civic education in preparation
for upcoming elections in 2001.
- Support to a multi-donor media and
communications program of Search for Common Ground Productions. OTI's
portion focuses on communications support for demobilization,
reconciliation, and reintegration, and to media and distance learning
support for OTI's non-formal education program.
- Co-funding with UK/DFID and other USAID offices to provide elections assistance for national, parliamentary, local, and paramount chief elections scheduled to be held in 2001.
Country Situation
The UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) reported that although the general security situation in the country remains calm, tensions continue in southeastern Guinea near the border with Sierra Leone and Liberia. ECOWAS leaders agreed to set up a sub-regional force that will patrol the borders of all three countries and prevent cross-border raids. The ECOWAS Security and Defense Commission approved the deployment of 1,676 troops, drawn from Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. Within Sierra Leone there have been no reports of cease-fire violations following the signing of the Abuja Accord on November 10, 2000. As anticipated, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) is still reluctant to disarm, allow UN deployment, or permit free access to civilians into rebel-held territories, especially the diamond mining regions of Kono and Tongo Field. Reports received by the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) indicate various acts of reprisal against RUF combatants wishing to disarm, ranging from seizure of weapons, physical violence, and even execution.
Freetown continues to be secure and the highway through Occra Hill, Masiaka and Mile 91 remains operational. As a result of a joint meeting between RUF interim leader, Issa Sesay, and the UNAMSIL Force Commander on December 8, 2000 near Mile 91, UNAMSIL has declared the highway linking Makeni, Magburaka and Mile 91 open. The Magburaka-Mile 91 road is receiving a trickle of vehicular traffic mainly from the RUF side towards Mile 91. This has raised some security concerns in the area but UNAMSIL continues to guarantee the safety of civilians in that location. As a further sign of commitment to the Abuja Accord, the RUF handed over to UNAMSIL a truck and eleven armored personnel carriers (minus their guns). However, the rebels still hold on to substantial weaponry and ammunitions.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan made a three-day visit to Sierra Leone to assess the situation and persuade the rebels to give up the fight. The UN Security Council determined that the War Crimes Tribunal will not prosecute children, responding to petitions of children's rights activists and UNICEF. Alternatively, children associated with war crimes are to face the Truth and Reconciliation Commission provided for in the Lome Peace Agreement. UNAMSIL and human rights organizations are working out modalities for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court on War Crimes and Human Rights Abuses in Sierra Leone.
The number of people in almost all displaced camps in the country continues to swell. By mid-December, UNHCR registered over 19,000 new arrivals from Guinea to Freetown on boats chartered by the Government of Sierra Leone. UN-OCHA also reports the presence of 13,644 self-repatriated returnees from Liberia and Guinea spread out in Kenema and the environs of Daru and Gofor. As the crisis across the borders in Guinea and Liberia deepens, the World Food Program and UNHCR are on standby for a possible influx of refugees into Sierra Leone.
Britain's second battalion, the Royal Ghurka Rifles, have arrived in Freetown to train pro- Government forces in preparation for rapid deployment. The Sierra Leone Army troops are reported to be in high spirits ready for a possible deployment to Makeni and the diamond mining settlements.
U.S. support for peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone received a further boost following President Bill Clinton's "Presidential Determination" authorizing $36 million in emergency assistance to UNAMSIL.
UNAMSIL reported the arrival of 400 advance troops, from an expected total of 800, with 220 armored personnel carriers and trucks from Ukraine. The UN Force had been reduced to 10,000 after the withdrawal of Indian and Jordanian troops. Meanwhile, efforts by the UN Secretary General to raise the authorized force of 20,000 for deployment across the country are proving difficult.
On the economic front, in spite of the rebel war, the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) appears to be performing an economic feat in both fiscal and monetary terms. The exchange rate of the Leone to the dollar has appreciated from Le 2,950 in the beginning of the year to Le 1,650 by end of year 2000.
New NGO Legislation
The Ministry of Development and UNDP sponsored a workshop for NGOs on December 11 to familiarize the NGO community with amendments to the NGO Policy approved by the GOSL. Some NGOs indicated that the workshop failed to address their concerns. A consultant, who spoke on behalf of the Government, insisted that beneficiaries of NGO assistance are the primary concern of Government and it is their duty to protect and advocate for the rights of beneficiaries. The Ministry of Development is requiring all NGOs to register under the terms of the new policy by January 15.
Education for Peace Program (OTI-MSI-World Vision)
The Education for Peace Program continues to expand. Approximately 16,500 participants are engaged in learning groups in 775 sites throughout the government-controlled territory. About 20% of the participants are women and approximately 15% are official ex-combatants holding demobilization documentation. The exact number of ex-combatants is being determined through a comprehensive process of monitoring which will be completed by January 25. Master Trainers and MSI staff have already traveled throughout the safe areas of Sierra Leone to visit 350 sites. The final phase of monitoring will report on 600 sites visited.
Three hundred new Learning Facilitators for the Education for Peace Program completed training on December 15 in 15 communities nation-wide. The new sites include Kissy and Newton in the Western area, and Mile 91 (two sites) and Lokomassama in the North. In the South, Fairo, Bandajuma-Sowa, Zimmi, Bradford, Tihun, Talia and Mogbemo and Gallina Perri are participating. The towns of Kokoru and Daru represent the East. Fifteen experienced Master Trainers served as coaches for the newest Master Trainers who facilitated their first training.
The Education for Peace Program continues to make a positive impact in many ways. Many areas, including Mile 91, Yele and Gallines Perri have requested additional learning facilitators to enable them to expand and reach more people in their chiefdoms.
Success Stories
At the 'Lebanese Displaced Persons Camp' in Kenema, the secretary of the Community Management Committee, Michael Jusu, proudly described how the Education for Peace Program has helped them to manage their trauma. He attributed the reduced incidence of violence within the camp to the Education for Peace Program. He reports that before the program there were many conflicts leading to physical violence. Today, there is little open fighting and people are eager to try their newly acquired skills within their camp setting. The training, he said, has galvanized members to join community action programs, which were lacking in the days before the training. Through community self-help they were able to construct new training sites.
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.
At Sorie Town in Freetown, an ex-Sierra Leone Army (SLA) combatant, Abu Bakarr Kamara who completed the DDR program is now enrolled at a computer training institute as part of the
government's reintegration program. Abu said he was very pleased with the
opportunity the Education for Peace Program offered him to interact with
non-combatants. According to Abu, the program has helped him tremendously
to cope with civilian life after participating in the nation's brutal war.
Another one of Abu's colleagues, Mohamed Koroma, was forced from his house by his parents for being a rebel collaborator. He narrated how the Education for Peace Program helped him to reconcile with his parents. Since abandoning school four years ago, Mohamed had lived in a nearby ghetto called Texas until he was encouraged to join the Education for Peace Program. As a result of the program he has learnt how to generate his own income. He now lives peacefully with his parents and operates a small business near their home. "My father has seen that I am now a changed person and has decided that I should start schooling next year," he remarked.
The learning facilitators and participants in Daru have started a "Peace Council" to resolve conflicts between Civil Defense
Forces, RUF and the SLA. Daru, an enclave located in the Eastern province
of Sierra Leone, has been surrounded by rebels for months. This council is
well respected in the community and has raised the profile of the
Education for Peace Program and is making a positive contribution toward
building good relationships among the former fighters.
World Vision (WV) and Management Systems International
(MSI) are in the process of assessing the program to see what changes will
have to be implemented in 2001 to ensure sustainability. One issue that
has been problematic is the supplies for the classes. All materials
supplied for the course should be available locally and at reasonable
cost. In order to change the supply list, Talking Drum Studio, WV and MSI
are developing a taped program to discuss the reasons for the changes and
the exact changes that will be made. A copy of this broadcast will be put
on audiotapes and all monitoring staff will have a copy to play in the
villages.
Search for Common Ground/Talking Drum Studio (TDS)
Talking Drum Studio continues to make a positive impact
using media and communication strategies for peace building and
reconciliation. TDS programs are now broadcast on eight radio stations
throughout the country. They are airing three different programs twice a
week on each station. The programs are: Common Ground Features, Golden
Kids News and Wi Yone Salone.
TDS is in the process of developing a serial drama based
on the Education for Peace Program. This drama will air weekly, and is
designed to show the changes that can be achieved in a community when
people work together. The material contained in the modules can be used to
improve relationships within a community and encourage community projects
for development.
Golden Kids has worked with other children to produce a
documentary on International Children's Broadcasting Day (December 10),
highlighting the rights and duties of children in nation building and
promoting issues related to peace and reconciliation.
TDS helped two local radio stations to formulate a
proposal for assistance from the OTI small grants fund managed by WV. The
grants total $8,943. To date $6,938 has been disbursed for equipment for
both Radio Mankneh/ Mile 91 and FM 104 in Bo. The equipment is expected to
arrive by the end of January.
Presently Radio Mankneh is based in Freetown and is
assisted by TDS to produce and air their programs on SLBS, Radio UNAMSIL,
FM98.1, VOH 96.2, and KISS 104FM in Bo, twice per week, in both Temne and
Krio. Two new staff members are undergoing training in production and
presentation at the Talking Drum Studios.
Nation-Building Workshops
As part of plans to select the first set of participants
for the Nation Building Program, OTI/ MSI held a brainstorming session on
November 28, attended by a cross-section of Government of Sierra Leone
(GOSL) and civil society representatives. This group reviewed the program
with a focus on securing the commitment of participants and exploring ways
by which their organization and community can contribute to its
success.
An official launching of the Nation Building program is
scheduled for January 19 in Kenema. Two workshops will run simultaneously
for four to six months, once weekly, in mixed groups of 20 participants
with two Master Trainers facilitating each group. The program is expected
to commence Saturday, January 20.
Technical Assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone on
Conflict Diamonds
OTI and MSI conducted a technical assistance mission to
Freetown from December 7-15. The scope of work for the mission was to:
- review the operations of the Certification of
Origin system;
- evaluate the status of GOSL licensing for
mining and exports;
- review and report on the regulatory framework
for diamond mining and exporting;
- review banking policy and recent new banking
regulations for diamond transactions;
- develop plans for monitoring of "conflict"
diamonds with the GOSL and relevant civil society representatives;
- discuss with the GOSL and relevant civil society representatives the
long term development objectives of diamond policy.
In 1999, Sierra Leone's official diamond exports were
approximately $1.5 million, compared to a diamond industry estimate of
true commercial export value of $70 million. The balance was lost to
smuggling and the illicit trade in "conflict" diamonds. After the
imposition of UN sanctions and the adoption of new export procedures,
there have been efforts to establish a "clean" channel for official
diamond exports. The new Certification of Origin procedures and
documentation went into effect on October 27.
One of the most important areas for further action is
monitoring. OTI/MSI held a workshop with GOSL and civil society
participants to discuss possible means for monitoring "conflict" diamonds.
A more complete report on this subject will be posted under separate
cover.
The United Nations Experts Panel set up to investigate
illicit diamond smuggling and gun running in Sierra Leone submitted its
report in December, singling out Liberian President Charles Taylor as
being "the primary supporter" of Sierra Leone's RUF rebels. The Liberian
Government is being accused of supplying weapons to the RUF, training
rebel fighters and profiting from illicit trade in Sierra Leonean
diamonds. The panel estimated that the RUF mines between $25 to $125
million worth of diamonds each year, using the proceeds to fund the
country's near decade-long war.
Support to the Electoral Process
In December, the National Election Commission (NEC) of
Sierra Leone traveled to Ghana to study their electoral preparations and
observe the elections.
The trip was co-funded by the British Department for
International Development (DIFD) and USAID through the International
Foundation for Election Systems (IFES). According to election officials,
is it highly unlikely that elections will be held before October 2001.
There are many issues to resolve before the elections, including
compliance with the peace agreement and refugee returnees. This trip was a
resounding success, mainly because it enabled the NEC to see concrete
examples of measures that should be taken to ensure free and fair
elections, instead of simply re-stating goals and platitudes. The lessons
learned by observing the Ghanaian elections, if applied to Sierra Leone,
would greatly contribute to a sound electoral process.
Walter Nicols, the NEC Chair, stated that the GOSL still
lacks some of the basic ingredients necessary to conduct an election. He
cited a lack of access to the entire country, the fact that all elections
offices used in 1996 have been ransacked and looted, and that the DDR
process has not been completed. GRANTS ACTIVITY SUMMARY
Campaign for Good Governance
With funding from OTI through World Vision, a local NGO,
Campaign for Good Governance, is implementing a series of activities to
enhance civil society's role in good governance. Training for 12 human
rights monitors, drawn from each district of Sierra Leone, was held in
Freetown on December 7-8. The training helped equip participants with
adequate skills for effective documentation of human right abuses across
the country. To facilitate this process, CGG has also provided each of the
12 monitors with a typewriter and basic stationary items.
CGG conducted a workshop "Waging War Against Corruption"
in the Provincial Capitals of Bo and Kenema for youth and civil society
activists. Next Steps/Immediate Priorities
- OTI will launch the Nation Building Program in
Kenema on January 19, 2001.
- OTI will be sponsoring a workshop in January on
monitoring diamonds.
- The monitoring of 600 sites of the Education for Peace Program will
be completed.
|
