Transition Initiatives: Sierra Leone Field Report
July 2001
Program Description
The goal of OTI's program in Sierra Leone is to help bring closure to the war and support the reconciliation and reintegration process. Current objectives are to enable effective control and monitoring of "conflict" diamonds and increase the benefits of diamond mining to the producing communities; assist the reintegration of ex-combatants and war-torn communities, including remedial education for youth by-passed by schooling during ten years of war; strengthen civil society's peace-building initiatives; and build public support for demobilization, reconciliation, and reintegration.
To meet these objectives, OTI's program in Sierra Leone conducts the following activities:
- The Reintegration Training and Education for Peace Program (EPP) is 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 ten years. The program is being expanded to include a second track called Nation-Building, a nationwide adult non-formal education initiative for public and private sector leaders.
- Technical assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) for the development of a new diamond policy and operations is designed to enable effective control and monitoring of "conflict" diamonds. The assistance also supports civil society and NGOs in their efforts to equitably distribute diamond revenues and use them for community development.
- Support provided to a multi-donor media and communications program of Search for Common Ground Productions is focusing on communications support for demobilization, reconciliation, and reintegration. This activity also provides assistance for media and distance learning for OTI's non-formal education program.
- Co-funding with the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and other USAID offices to provide elections assistance for national, parliamentary, local, and paramount chief elections to be held in December 2001.
- A Small Grants Program is addressing issues related to the setbacks in the peace process in May 2000, the reconciliation and reintegration of war-affected women and girls, development of community leadership, and civic education in preparation for upcoming elections in 2001.
COUNTRY SITUATION
The security situation remains relatively calm. UNAMSIL reports some cease-fire violations involving the Civil Defense Force (CDF) and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Kono but is uncertain who the aggressors are. UNAMSIL continues its routine confidence-building contacts with the RUF in all operational areas. A tripartite meeting held in Bo between the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL), RUF and UNAMSIL examined the problems of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program and agreed on ways to advance the process.
Since the re-commencement of the DDR program in May 2001, approximately 8,000 ex-combatants disarmed and joined the program. The disarmament of ex-combatants is reported to be on target in Bonthe. The process is proceeding slowly in Kono, however, where clashes between the CDF and RUF threaten the DDR program. According to the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (NCDDR), based on the availability of funds the disarmament of ex-combatants is expected to be completed in Sierra Leone by November 2001.
According to the UN Assistant Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Ralph Zacklin, the foundation (core elements including prosecutors, registrars, etc.) of a Special Court in Freetown will be in place within the next three months. The court is mandated to try those shouldering the greatest responsibility for war crimes committed during the Sierra Leone conflict. The UN passed the Special Court resolution earlier this month. When the resolution was announced, many felt the timing was inappropriate, as news of the Court's implementation would delay disarmament.
Preparations for December 2001 Presidential and Parliamentary elections are running behind schedule. Due to delays in the disarmament process, amendments to the voting system, and indecision on constituency boundaries, it is unlikely that elections will be held on schedule. The National Elections Commission (NEC) is expected to publish a definitive statement on the timetable and system of elections to be adopted in the future.
OTI HIGHLIGHTS
OTI, World Vision, Talking Drum Studio, International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) continue to hold regular consultations on programming and logistical issues of concern. World Vision/SL is working closely with Management Systems International (MSI) and OTI to systematize logistical operations and develop a monitoring guide that indicates venues, dates and times of Education for Peace trainings held for participants countrywide.
A. Reintegration Training and Education for Peace Program
Education for Peace Program (OTI-MSI-World Vision)
The program continues to be implemented in accessible areas of the country. Since March 2000, approximately 34,000 war-affected youth and ex-combatants in over 1,400 sites participated in peace building, community awareness, and basic literacy training in their communities. The program engages participants for five to six months using five modules that teach literacy and numeracy while exploring self-reliance, conflict resolution, agriculture, health, and civic participation. Learning Facilitators (LFs) deliver the training modules to target populations and are selected from local communities.
The eleventh round of LF training began on July 23 and is expected to end August 10. Ten sites currently training LFs for the Education for Peace Program include the following: Bombali, Kambia, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, (North) Bo, Bonthe (South) and Kenema Districts (East). The training scheduled for Gorama Kono relocated to Kokoru in the Kenema District due to insecurity of Kono. Twenty of the 52 Master Trainers (MTs) are involved in these exercises. The remaining MTs are either engaged in upgrading Learning Facilitators to implement modules four and five or monitoring old sites in the Kenema Districts. To date figures for the trainings are as follows:
| Northern Region |
1,000 |
9,000* |
10,000 |
| Southern Region |
880 |
8,400 |
9,280 |
| Eastern Region |
660 |
6,000 |
6,660 |
| Western Region |
740 |
7,400 |
8,140 |
| Total |
3,280 |
30,800 |
34,080 ** |
**This number does not indicate the groups that have been discontinued due to displaced populations and other unforeseen circumstances. The monitors estimate an 8-10% attrition rate. Each group consists of 20 participants and 2 Learning Facilitators. The participants are ex-combatants and war-affected youth. Currently, approximately 18% of program participants are officially discharged ex-combatants.
MSI's final report on success stories from the Education for Peace Program and a resource directory of all reintegration programs in the country is expected early August 2001. These products will be available for program participants to note reintegration programs available in their region and highlight the accomplishments of other learning groups.
Nine MSI-trained interviewers questioned over 500 people associated with the Education for Peace Program in 48 sites across the country. Early reports indicate that about 85-90% of those interviewed were satisfied with the program, due especially to the improvement of their literacy and numeracy skills. The majority of respondents also lauded the growing positive attitude of their communities toward conflict resolution and reconciliation.
Success Stories
The Community Management Council Chairman in Daru reported that participants of the Education for Peace Program changed their way of life and began to engage themselves in community ventures such as group gardens and participating voluntarily in mass vaccination campaigns. More specifically, LFs and participants in Daru established gardens at most sites. The proceeds from the harvests are being used for various community development projects. In Dambu and Gbaama they rebuilt the Court Barris. In Yendema they rebuilt a public school. In Gbaama, Pendembu and Jegbla the proceeds provided funding to rebuild residential housing using local materials. A clinic was also built in Dambu, which is staffed by two MCH Aides and supported by the Ministry of Health. In other communities there are plans to use the gardening proceeds to pay for schooling for vulnerable children.
In other examples of EPP-inspired community activities, facilitators and program participants are undertaking road construction in Blama. They are also building a Child Delivery Facility that will form the basis of a future Maternal and Child Health Post in Gaoveyama, Dama Chiefdom.
In many areas across the country, the Education for Peace Program has promoted unity and urged youth to acquire new skills and become self-reliant. For example, at the Nyandeyama Displaced Camp in Kenema, residents identified a weaver and soap-maker among the community who would provide a basis for future skills training. Through individual contributions and proceeds from the sale of fuel wood they were able to raise funds to purchase materials for skills training in soap-making and weaving. Training began in May using refined production techniques. Now, over 60 packets of soap are produced every week and a half. The weavers produce a variety of goods including clothes, bedding, chair backs and bags. Both products are sold within the community to gain additional income with which to expand the businesses for future sustainability and gains.
On the peace-building and reconciliation front, participant communities are coming to terms with ex-combatants, rival factions and perceived RUF collaborators within their midst. KK, an ex-combatant whose house was burnt down by rebels, vowed to kill any RUF who came to Kpandebu, Dama, his hometown. As a result of the Education for Peace training, KK is now preaching a message of peace to people in the village. He was part of the team that welcomed the son of the Town Chief, an RUF combatant. The team was also successful in persuading the combatant to go back and disarm. The fellow later returned with his demobilization card and is now attending school and living peacefully in the village.
Entrepreneurial Development Program (MSI/Action Aid)
MSI is also working closely with Action Aid to implement an Entrepreneurial Development Program (EDP) for Sierra Leone. EDP previously has been implemented in 55 countries around the world and is designed to foster self-reliance. Participants are required to submit admissions applications and cover their own training fees. This training model promotes, encourages and attracts participation from committed students from the onset, thus avoiding the attachment of attendance to financial rewards. The program will produce eight trainers and train 180 participants by the end of the year. Action Aid will supervise the trainers who will conduct future trainings. The participation fees collected will contribute to the self-sustainability of the program.
Direct Support to NCDDR
Master Trainers from the Education for Peace Program trained Kenema and Lunsar staff of the National Commission on Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (NCDDR) on the delivery of the "pre-entry plan" module. This "homecoming" module is part of the NCDDR Pre-Discharge Orientation (PDO) program designed for ex-combatants enrolled in demobilization camps. PDO training is ongoing in Bonthe, Kono and Lunsar using MSI-trained NCDDR staff (previously conducted by Learning Facilitators). OTI, through MSI, is providing all required training materials to NCDDR.
Nation Building Workshops
The Nation Building Program will be launched in Bo on August 1. This program assists local efforts to fight corruption and promotes transparent, accountable governing systems across the country. A total of 40 participants selected from civil servants, traditional and religious leaders, civil society leaders, professional groups, and youth and women's groups will participate in the program. The Port Loko program will commence by the third week in August. To date, 120 participants in five locations are benefiting from the program. After completing six months of training, the first set of 40 graduates will receive their certificates in Kenema on August 4.
B. Technical assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) on Conflict Diamonds
A consultant for MSI spent one week working with Ministry officials, business people and banking experts to follow the chain of custody of diamonds. A full report of his work will be submitted next month.
C. Communications Support for Demobilization, Reconciliation, and Reintegration
Search for Common Ground/Talking Drum Studio (TDS)
Talking Drum Studio (TDS) continues to promote innovative ways of disseminating information to encourage peace, reconciliation and informed participation on public affairs.
TDS visited Kabala to see how people are rebuilding their lives. Their interviews with the Paramount Chief, UNAMSIL, SLA, residents and ex-combatants indicated that life is returning to normal and people are looking forward to successful DDR in the area. TDS trained or followed up on child reporters and broadcasters, aged between 9-13, for their Golden Kids News in Port Loko and Makeni.
TDS also visited Kissidougou in Guinea to assess the status of Sierra Leonean refugees living in the Parrot's Beak area. The TDS Drama Tour to Bonthe and Kono led to the discovery, in Kono, of the mother of Stevens Swankay, one of the child ex-combatants in the Golden Kids News. A re-unification is being planned by TDS.
At Mile 91, TDS distributed wind-up Freeplay radios to community members, including children, encouraging them to listen to TDS-sponsored programs. They also collaborated with Action Aid in promoting sensitization on HIV/AIDS.
TDS reported that combatants in Kailahun and Kono are not aware of what the disarmament program is all about and what the Special Court means. OTI is working with the GOSL Department of Defense to borrow a 500-watt radio station to be located in Daru. This station will be managed by TDS and operational costs will be provided by NCDDR. The only radio coverage that is available is the government station, but the rebels do not have faith in the news on the government station.
D. Support to Electoral Process
OTI continues to work closely with the International Foundation for Elections Systems (IFES) and NDI in ensuring timely, free and fair elections for Sierra Leone. USAID/OTI, DFID, and NDI will work primarily with political parties and civil society groups on elections-related activities.
National Democratic Institute (NDI) held the first phase of sensitization workshops with potential women candidates. The candidates were selected from registered political parties and civil society groups in Freetown. A broader and more inclusive second phase is being developed. Additionally, NDI is in the process of reviewing budget and programmatic issues, given the possible shift in the election timetable.
After consultations with the electorate and stakeholders, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) is recommending a District-based Proportional Representative (PR) system that combines the advantages of PR and constituency-based elections. An official statement on the electoral system and possibly a revised timetable for the elections is due in August.
E. Small Grants Program
OTI is supporting the continued program of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) to support the education of girls in Eastern Freetown. The program, which started last year, was initially sponsored by Winrock based on OTI's recommendation. FAWE is also continuing its functional literacy and peace building program in Moyamba, which targets 150 war-affected girls and women.
OTI, in collaboration with WVSL and TDS/SL is working on possible small grant funding for Steady Bongo, a local musician and the Tombo Radio Station. Both grants would focus on messages pertaining to peace and reconciliation.
Next Steps/Immediate Priorities
- OTI/SL will host a team from OTI/Washington and USAID/Guinea, August 13-17 to discuss final evaluation and phase-out strategies.
- The Sackville and Tombo communities will hold the first Final Graduation ceremony of over 600 participants in the Education for Peace program.
- OTI awaits quarterly reports from WVSL and TDS-SL.
- The twelfth round of Learning Facilitators training covering 18 communities will commence August 27.
- OTI will award the skills training program for the North in August.
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