Transition Initiatives: Sierra Leone Field Report
November 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 processes. Current objectives are to assist the reintegration of ex-combatants and war-torn communities, including remedial education for youth by-passed by schooling during ten years of war; facilitate free and fair elections; build public support for demobilization, reconciliation, and reintegration; strengthen civil society's peace-building initiatives; enable effective control and monitoring of "conflict" diamonds; and increase the benefits of diamond mining to the producing communities.
To meet these objectives, OTI's program in Sierra Leone conducts the following activities:
- The Youth Reintegration Training and Education for Peace (YRTEP) Program 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 over the past ten years. The program also includes a second track called Education for Nation-Building, a nationwide adult non-formal education initiative for public and private sector leaders.
- Assistance for the May 2002 presidential and parliamentary elections is being co-funded by OTI and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID), as well as by other USAID partners.
- OTI is supporting a multi-donor media and communications program of Search for Common Ground Productions (Talking Drum Studio) to focus on communication for demobilization, reconciliation, and reintegration, and is providing assistance to the media for distance learning in support of OTI's non-formal education program. Additional funds have been provided to support Talking Drum Studio's election education activities.
- OTI is providing technical assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) for the development of a new diamond policy to enable effective control and monitoring of "conflict" diamonds and to support civil society and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in their efforts to use diamond revenues for community development.
COUNTRY SITUATION
The overall security situation in Sierra Leone has remained calm. According to the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), there have been no reports of fighting in the tri-border areas of the country. However, fighting in the northwestern region of Liberia between insurgents and forces loyal to the Liberian Government has intensified.
The National Recovery Committee, charged with restoring civil authority, declared areas in Kambia, Bombali and Tonkolili Districts safe for resettlement. Following disarmament trends and the positive results of District Assessment missions, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), along with other agencies, will transfer 9,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in the Lokomasama IDP camp to their homes of origin in Kambia and Port Loko Districts. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) are also moving into newly disarmed areas. A number of refugees, encouraged by the fact that the SLA has taken control of about seventy percent of the country's border, are voluntarily returning from Guinea and Liberia. The upsurge in the rehabilitation of roads and bridges across the country and the news of the return of Paramount Chiefs to Koinadugu and Kono Districts aided the progress of resettlement. One result of this relative peace and newly secure border environment has been the inflow of a new wave of Liberian refugees fleeing the fighting in Liberia to Buedu, Kailahun in Eastern Sierra Leone.
According to UNAMSIL, a total of 37,056 ex-combants have demobilized since January 2000. Disarmament, however, came to halt in Kenema and Kailahun Districts when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Civil Defense Forces (CDF) refused to disarm. Whereas the RUF are demanding the release of Foday Sankoh and speeding up of their transformation into a political party, the CDF are demanding a review of the rules for disarmament as pre-conditions to proceed with the process. UNAMSIL and the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) are trying to persuade both factions to adhere to their agreements and resume the process prior to the next tripartite meeting scheduled for December 13, 2001. Although disarmament is virtually complete in 11 of 13 districts, a number of combatants are still coming forward to disarm. With disarmament facilities closed in most districts, combatants are advised to go to Kailahun or Kenema. Starting on December 1, 2001, ex-combatants can also surrender their weapons to the SLP initiative, the Community Arms Collection and Destruction Program. Although the disarmament deadline remains fluid, it may run into 2002 and thus not meet the November 30 deadline.
The government recently offered the RUF office space in Freetown and released more RUF detainees, but the international community and civil society have called on the government to not release Foday Sankoh at this stage of the peace process.
A three-day National Consultative Conference organized by the National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights (NCDHR) ended in Freetown on November 15, 2001. Over 250 delegates adopted twenty-five resolutions on a wide range of issues. The conference confirmed the National Electoral Commission's (NEC) recommended polling date of May 14, 2001 under a District Block Representation system. The conference also approved a proposal to have thirty percent women's representation on political party candidate lists in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Although the outcomes of the Consultative Conference are not binding on the GoSL, it has issued a statement indicating its intentions to seriously consider the recommendations.
OTI HIGHLIGHTS
OTI Partners
OTI continues regular consultations with partners to discuss programmatic and funding issues. OTI requested Management Systems International (MSI) to work closely with World Vision Sierra Leone (WVSL) to streamline their operations in 2002. To support continued monitoring and evaluation of OTI sponsored programming in FY 2002, staff members are working with the partners to enhance and/or develop appropriate monitoring and evaluation strategies to ensure viable program outcomes.
Youth Reintegration and Education for Peace (YRTEP) Program (MSI-WVSL)
The YRTEP Program continues implementation in accessible areas of the country. Since March 2000, approximately 45,280 war-affected youth and ex-combatants in over 2,000 sites participated in peace building, community awareness, and basic literacy training in their communities. This figure comprises 43,020 participants in the original 14 training rounds and an additional 2,260 new participants in a number of north and western regional communities. In addition to reaching more community members, the supplementary training utilizes existing Learning Facilitators (LFs) and Community Management Committees (CMCs), at little additional cost. YRTEP engages participants for almost one year, using five modules that teach literacy and numeracy while exploring self-reliance, conflict resolution, agriculture, health, and civic participation.
The fourteenth round of LF training in six communities within Bombali and Kono Districts started November 19, 2001. A total of 120 LFs will graduate by December 14, 2001. These graduates will then work with 1,200 participants in the months to come.
To date, figures in the original rounds of training are as follows:
| Northern Region |
1,320 |
12,600 |
13,920 |
| Southern Region |
1,000 |
10,000 |
11,000 |
| Eastern Region |
820 |
6,900 |
7,720 |
| Western Area |
840 |
8,400 |
9,240 |
| Total |
4,020 |
39,000 |
43,020 ** |
** 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. Participants are ex-combatants and war-affected youth. Approximately 18% of program participants are officially discharged ex-combatants, but a substantial amount of participants without DDR ex-combatant numbers admit to participating in the fighting.
MSI is currently undertaking a survey to facilitate the process of evaluating and assisting YRTEP program delivery and updating participants' information to reflect appropriate retention rates, gender balance, participation of registered Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) ex-combatants, as well as unregistered participants in the war. Twenty-five Master Trainers are working with communities in the Western Area, Kenema, Pujehun and Moyamba Districts to facilitate this assessment.
Skills Training and Employment Generation (STEG) - Christian Children's Fund (CCF) &
Skills Training and Employment Promotion (STEP) - WVSL
These programs are designed to build on the YRTEP program by increasing the social reintegration of ex-combatants and war affected youth through community-based strategies of skill development, employment, cooperation, dialogue and psycho-social support. The program strengthens life skills and promotes social reintegration, creates temporary employment, and stimulates cooperation between ex-combatants and community members working together in civic works projects.
CCF is implementing the program in the north, while WVSL is in the east and south of the country. Both organizations are involved in community meetings to appropriately identify project locations, finalize community needs assessments, and select project partners, participants, and program support staff.
Entrepreneurial Development Program (MSI/Action Aid)
MSI, in collaboration with Action Aid, continued the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Development Program (EDP). The program is an intensive two-week workshop designed to foster self-reliance and economic development through the assimilation of improved business practices. Thus far, 79 entrepreneurs have been trained, 32 of who are women.
MSI/Action Aid is close to completing the series of four EDP courses. Seven Action Aid staff members trained by MSI will be facilitating future EDP trainings starting in 2002. MSI will hand-over full responsibility of the program to Action Aid in December 2001.
Nation-Building Program (MSI)
This program assists local efforts to build responsive citizens and leaders to fight corruption and promote transparent, accountable governing systems across the country. To date, 180 participants including civil servants, traditional, religious and civil society leaders, professional women, and youth groups have participated in the program. Preparations are underway to extend the program to Kabala in the north of the country.
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 in public affairs. Popular radio programs like We Yone Salone (Our Sierra Leone), Golden Kids News, Salone Woman (Sierra Leone Woman), Home Sweet Home and Common Grounds Features produced by TDS are aired on all major radio stations across the country. TDS also provides equipment, technical, and program support to Radios Tombo, Gbafth and Mankneh.
The final phase of the Steady Bongo Peace Tour was completed in the rebel strongholds of Kenema and Kailahun Districts. The tour attracted people from both sides of the conflict and was a success. According to some residents, the carnival atmosphere of the musical Peace Tour reinforced their assurance that peace had once again returned to Sierra Leone.
TDS was part of a team that briefed the Ministry of Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Local Government on the outcome of eight grassroots stakeholders' meetings held in Bo, Pujehun and Kenema Districts. The meetings investigated the use of the Community Development Fund (CDF) accrued to diamond mining chiefdoms based on their number of registered licenses. With the exception of one chiefdom, the team observed that the communities were either not aware of the existence of the fund, or that the monies had been used by the paramount chiefs on personal projects. The Ministry of Mineral Resources has since suspended the next CDF payment scheduled for January 2002 until a proper accounting and monitoring system is established. As a follow-up, TDS (in collaboration with their partners) is focusing their sensitization activities on the ten highest funded chiefdoms, assisting them in developing genuine grassroots community projects that would impact the wider community and make more appropriate use of the CDF.
TDS activities in support of the upcoming elections continue with the training of marginalized youths in eight communities surrounding Freetown. This program will encourage youth to actively participate in election monitoring, rather than take part in election-related violence. The communities include Kanikay, Firestone, Susan's Bay, Kissy, Texas, Kroobay, Wilberforce and Goderich. A pilot phase is currently being undertaken in Kanikay in the east end of Freetown.
Technical Assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone on Conflict Diamonds
Preparations for the arrival of MSI field consultant, Mark Renzi, are underway. From December 17 - 22, 2001 Mr. Renzi will study the diamond chain of custody interventions and monitor the use of the Community Development Fund. Mark will also pursue the possibility of CRS providing matching grants to mining communities, which are willing to put their share of the CDF into community development initiatives.
Support to the Electoral Process
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) continues their nation-wide sensitization and recruitment drive for the Women And Youth Leadership And Election Observation Program. NDI worked with "50/50," a women's political empowerment movement, in launching the organization at a ceremony attended by President Kabbah. The women proclaimed their goal of equal representation in the political arena. NDI has trained 45 women candidates from different political parties on basic campaign skills and has sensitized women in IDP camps in Bo and Kenema on their role in the elections. NDI is also collaborating with Search for Common Ground/Talking Drum Studio to target marginalized youths in order to promote peaceful elections.
The Political Party Resource Center, which is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, is providing training on basic computer skills to political party activists. NDI hopes to hold round-table conferences to sensitize political parties on the Political Parties' Act, poll watching, and developing issue-based campaigns.
Success Stories
The Entrepreneurial Development Program (EDP) trainings have encouraged the formation of an informal network of EDP trained entrepreneurs to share ideas and experiences about how to improve the business climate in Sierra Leone. The EXCEL Club is already creating linkages with banks and other financial institutions with a view to accessing capital for their businesses and exploring opportunities to compete with more established entrepreneurs.
Margaret Cole, commonly called Auntie Maggie, owner of the famous Picadilly Food Shop in central Freetown, said that the course expanded her horizons -- opening her eyes to more efficient uses of time and resources. Auntie Maggie, who recently returned from a West African sub-regional All Women's Trade Network (WABNET) in Mali, seized the EDP forum to rally her fellow EDP women entrepreneurs to join WABNET and to utilize business opportunities offered by the network. This venture received the active support of the established EXCEL Club.
Kadie Momoh, as a result of the EDP training, had more customers and higher profit margins, due in large part to a simple change in product packaging for her yogurt business, a strategy discussed in the training program.
Next Steps/Immediate Priorities
- USAID Mission Director for Guinea and Sierra Leone, Harry Bernholtz visits Freetown December 3 - 7, 2001.
- MSI will continue its survey of YRTEP sites across the country.
- WVSL is seeking alternatives from World Vision USA to allow for a 15th round of LF training before March 31, 2002
- Kury Cobham leaves Freetown, December 21, 2002 after completing her tour of duty as Acting Country Representative with OTI/USAID.
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