SIERRA LEONE: NDI'S CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS PROGRAM
With the end of the war in Sierra Leone in 2002, security and peace are gradually returning, allowing for the resettlement of internally displaced people and the restoration of state authority countrywide. The international community, led by the United Nations peacekeeping force (UNAMSIL), is actively assisting the new government in maintaining order and rebuilding the war-torn country. Reform of the military and the Ministry of Defense represents a critical component of those efforts as poor oversight of the armed forces and weak interaction between the civilian community and the armed forces have promoted instability, corruption and an erosion of the civilian community's faith in the democratic process. Addressing the underlying causes of conflict in a post-war Sierra Leone involves the creation of an accountable armed forces placed securely under full civilian administrative and political control.
NDI Senior Program Advisor Eva Busza leads a workshop on post-conflict reconciliation.
On January 16-18, 2003, NDI held a civil-military cooperation workshop. A dialogue was initiated between representatives of the civilian community in Kono District, regional members of Parliament and local RSLAF troops on how to reduce tensions in the community and how to work together to mend the damage resulting from a decade of civil war. Participants also discussed measures to prevent the future resurgence of war.
A great deal of attention was devoted to analyzing the relationship of the military to the people and discussants stressed the importance of strengthening democratic control of the armed forces. Workshop attendees also considered whether the development of strong legislative oversight of the armed forces, which would answer to a civilian commander-and-chief and cabinet, was a necessary step for the political and economic rebuilding of the country. They further stressed that the development of a professional, apolitical and transparent military firmly anchored to constitutional prerogatives was important for the future of a secure, democratic Sierra Leone.
Participants also discussed post-conflict reconciliation, analyzing the pros and cons of truth and reconciliation commissions as well as the benefits of traditional measures for fostering healing and understanding in Kono District. Other topics covered at the three-day workshop including the rights and roles of women; mining activities; and youth perspectives in Sierra Leone. Participants included Deputy Defence Minister Joe Blell, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff, Brigadier AC Nelson Williams; Ambassador Peter Chaveas; British High Commissioner Alan Jones, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Parliamentary and Political Affairs, Albert Bockarie.
NDI Sierra Leone Resident Director Niall Johnston presents certificate to Deputy Defence Minister Joe Blell for successful completion of an NDI security sector reform training course.
Future workshops are planned which will address the promotion of transparency and accountability in the security sector, including: the role of the parliament in oversight of the armed forces and defense policy; the challenges of reintegrating soldiers into society; and ways in which civil society could have a voice in policy-making.
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