The BBC World Service Trust is focusing on governance and human rights in Sierra Leone. We are working with a wide range of partners to contribute to fair and peaceful elections, and to raise public awareness, understanding and debate about the mechanisms of ‘transitional justice'.
Context
Sierra Leone emerged from a decade of civil war in 2002. More than 17,000 foreign troops from Britain and the United Nations disarmed tens of thousands of rebels and militia fighters.
An UN-backed war crimes court has been set up to try those, from both sides, who bear the greatest responsibility for the brutalities.
Diamond exports and mineral mining have helped drive the post-conflict economy.
Ernest Bai Koroma was sworn in as Sierra Leone's new president on 17 September 2007, following national elections where he won 54.6% of the vote.
About 90% of the country's international debt, worth about $1.6bn (£815m) is being cancelled in a series of deals with creditors including the World Bank.
The government has committed to allocating debt relief savings to areas that promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Facts
- 74.5% of the population live on less than $2 per day
- 43.3% of children are enrolled in primary school
- 27% of children under five are underweight
- 47.9% of 15-24 year olds are literate
- 1.5% of the population - or more than 74,000 people, are HIV positive
- There are 31,000 AIDS orphans in Sierra Leone
Working in partnership
We are working with Sierra Leonean broadcasters and international and national NGOs to tackle poor access to information, widespread rumours and misinformation, and the marginalisation of women and young people in the 2007 and 2008 national and local elections. More
We are also working in partnership with Search for Common Ground and the International Center for Transitional Justice to train media professionals in Sierra Leone and other African countries to raise public awareness, understanding and debate about the mechanisms of ‘transitional justice', including the activities of international tribunals, the International Criminal Court and Truth and Reconciliation Commissions. More
Moving forward, we will build on current partnerships and initiatives to ensure a stronger, well equipped, independent media sector, better able to serve its audiences, promote social inclusion and reduce poverty.
