Accountability and Reconciliation-What we have tried,what works –The

Sierra Leone Experience By

Reginald S.Fynn

The Government

RUF

RUF CDF

ECOMOG

sobels

ULIMO

Govt.

UNAMSIL

NPFL

78,000 combatants in all

What caused the War?

•Corruption•Unemployment

•Poverty•One Party State

•Suppression of Dissent•Diamonds

•International influences•Etc.

The character of the war?

- BRUTAL.

Peace efforts

• National consultative conferences 1995

• Abidjan peace accord 1996

• Conakry six month plan

• Abuja peace talk 1997

• Lome peace accord 1999

Lome Peace Accord

• Power sharing

• Amnesty

• Special war fund

• Truth and reconciliation commission

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2000

• To create an impartial historical record

• To address impunity

• To investigate and report

• To promote the process of healing and reconciliation

The Special Court for Sierra Leone 2002

• To try those who bear the greatest responsibility

Concerns• Who’s truth? The victors?

• The whole truth?

• Amnesty abandoned. Any effect on the sanctity of agreements?

• Special court vs. National court

• Special court vs. TRC (was truth sacrificed at the alter of justice)

….and more concerns• Reparation for victims

• Good governance issues;Corruption,civil freedoms

• Legal reform and access to justice

• Poverty and unemployment