Conflict history: Sierra Leone
Head of State: President Kabbah, March 1996- (reinstated March 1998, re-elected May 2002)
Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, earned name 1787 with return of 400 freed slaves from U.S., Nova Scotia and Britain. Freetown peninsula (but not Sierra Leone’s hinterland) became Britain’s first west African colony 1792, dominated by Krio descendants of slaves, often in opposition to indigenous Sierra Leoneans.
Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain 1961. Protracted national crisis followed victory of All Peoples’ Congress (APC) March 1967 elections, beating sitting Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP). APC leader Siaka Stevens sworn in as PM April 1968 after series of coups. Power quickly consolidated and one-party state established 1978. Stevens handed over power August 1985 to hand-picked successor General Joseph Momoh. Corrupt Momoh cracked down on prominent Lebanese businessmen who controlled Sierra Leone’s diamond trade and became increasingly dependent on Israeli traders, diplomatic and security networks and Russian criminals.
Backed by Liberian rebel leader Charles Taylor (see Liberia), Foday Sankoh’s Revolutionary United Front (RUF) entered southeastern Sierra Leone March 1991. While RUF claimed intention to ignite radical pan-African revolution, Taylor was keen to punish Sierra Leone for helping block victory 1990 in Liberia’s civil war (1989-1996).
President Momoh overthrown after popular military coup led by Captain Valentine Strasser April 1992. Strasser’s military-led National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC), despite expanding national army from 3,000 to 13,000, was unable to prevent RUF advances or deal with increasing collusion between army and RUF commanders at expense of civilian population. NPRC hired private military company Executive Outcomes in desperation, which succeeded in pushing back RUF to Sierra Leone’s borders. Local and international pressure led to February 1996 presidential elections won by SLPP candidate and former UN official Ahmad Kabbah. Kabbah encouraged local communities to set up local militias (known as Kamajors) to protect against RUF, riling army. Abidjan peace settlement reached between Sankoh and Kabbah November 1996 with agreement to terminate Executive Outcomes’ contract from 1997, changing balance of military power.
Kabbah overthrown May 1997 by Paul Koroma, leader of Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), who invited RUF to join coalition government. Rule of law collapsed over subsequent months. Under international and local pressure AFRC/RUF agreed to return Kabbah to power October 1997 - but reneged. Nigerian forces, acting under regional mandate, finally ousted AFRC February 1998 forcing RUF to retreat to guerrilla war backed by significant numbers of Sierra Leone soldiers living off land and financed by “blood diamond” trade. Reports of massive human rights abuses and collusion between supposedly opposed military factions indicated country’s slide to anarchy. 12,000 Nigerian troops, heavily involved in war economy, and local armed militias, principally Kamajors, did not dislodge AFRC/RUF forces from Sierra Leone’s interior. On contrary, AFRC/RUF offensive nearly captured Freetown January 1999. Rape and random amputation used as weapon of war on those living in Freetown, particularly in heavy attacks on East End.
With military standoff continuing, Kabbah and RUF signed Lomé agreement July 1999, making Sankoh vice-president. UN Security Council established 6,000 strong UNAMSIL force (eventually increased to 17,500) under Chapter VI of UN charter, to replace departing ECOWAS troops. RUF, backed by Charles Taylor (now president of Liberia) , soon broke Lomé agreements, taking 500 members of UNAMSIL hostage. In wake of UN debacle Foday Sankoh arrested and British troops dispatched to improve security situation.
Second Abuja agreement signed May 2001, implemented with slow roll-out of government authority. End of Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war proclaimed January 2002 and Kabbah re-elected president May 2002 (70 per cent of vote). Truth and Reconciliation Commission began operating same year. Most British troops withdrew by end 2002 though contingent remained to train new Sierra Leone army. Former AFRC leader Paul Koroma’s attempt January 2003 to break into Freetown armoury failed. After series of indictments 2003-2004, including Liberia’s Charles Taylor (in exile in Nigeria), Paul Koroma and former head of Civil Defence Force Sam Hinga Norman, Special Court for Sierra Leone began trials June 2004.
updated 22 September 2004
