Sierra Leone was named in 1492 by a Portuguese explorer Pedro
de Sintra. Sierra Leone means "Lioness Mountains". Republic of Sierra
Leone, is a country in West Africa that is bordered by Guinea to the northeast,
Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. Sierra Leone
is a constitutional republic with a directly elected president and a unicameral
legislature. The country is divided into four regions: Northern, Eastern,
Western, and Southern areas each of which are divided into 14 districts. Each
has their own government. Te government is headed by a council chairman. The
capital of Sierra Leone is Freetown and it is the largest city (economically,
commercially, and politically). Sierra Leone is mostly Muslim but also includes
Christian beliefs. English is the language of instruction in schools and the
official language in government administration.
The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002) began on 23 March
1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), with support from the special
forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL),
intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh
government. The civil war lasted 11 years. The war was declared over January of
2002. Some of the causes of the war included 1.1 Political history, Diamonds
and the "resource curse”, The demographics of rebel recruitment, and Libyan
and arms dealing role.
The timeline of the
war (Key points)
1991
In March the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), allegedly
armed and financed by Liberian president Charles Taylor and led by former army
officer Foday Sankoh, crosses the border from Liberia and captures several
villagers.
1992
Unhappy with the government's inability to stop the rebels,
Captain Valentine Strasser seizes power and establishes a junta government to
crush the rebels, who control around one-fifth of the country.
1993-1995
Fighting between government forces and RUF continues with
mixed results. Rebels gain control of most of the diamond fields and bauxite
and titanium mines.
1996
Two days after the elections on March 17 the RUF accepts a
ceasefire. In November Kabbah and Sankoh sign a peace agreement.
1997
As the peace deal unravels the RUF ousts Sankoh as leader in
March. In May a military coup follows and Kabbah is overthrown by Major Johnny
Paul Koroma, who establishes the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC).
1998
In the second battle for Freetown, ECOMOG forces drive out
the AFRC/RUF rebels. Kabbah returns from exile in Guinea to resume the
presidency. Fighting between government troops and rebels continues.
1999
RUF forces advance on Freetown for the third battle over the
capital. The RUF capture the east of the city from ECOMOG. Hospital sources say
over 3,000 people were killed in a month.
2000
The UN sends the UNAMSIL peacekeeping mission to replace
ECOMOG. RUF seizes 500 UN peacekeepers to stop UNAMSIL from moving into the
diamond fields.
Britain sends troops, and the hostages are released in
batches via Liberia. Sankoh is arrested and handed over to the government.
2001
UNAMSIL deploys troops throughout the country and
disarmament begins.
2002
In January UNAMSIL commander announces an end to war,
stating that more than 47,000 fighters turned in their arms since May 2001. The
government and the UN sign an agreement to set up a special tribunal to try
perpetrators of atrocities against civilians.
After the war diamond revenues increased, British withdrew,
and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was formed in order for people to
be tried officially.
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