US Sierra Leone Diaspora Petition

March 17, 2009 - Recent reports of political violence, arson and rape in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, as well as election-related disturbances in parts of Pujehun District, threaten Sierra Leone’s stability, economic development and sustainable peace.

As a group of concerned Sierra Leoneans abroad we urge the government to hasten action against the perpetrators of these crimes and bring those responsible to justice.

We would like to remind President Koroma that in the presidential address he delivered on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament in October 2007, he acknowledged that spates of indiscipline, both in the private and public sectors, have undermined the possibilities for national development.

Moreover, President Koroma emphasized the need to promote a new culture consistent with the norms and values espoused by a modern democracy. "In my government," he said, "effective management and discipline will be ...underpinned by an appetite for enforcing laws, rules and regulations. This combination of operational practices will help us restore order to the Sierra Leone society."

Unfortunately, political violence over the recent days, including the spate of armed robberies, portrays underlying problems with law and order which have negative ramifications for our developing nation. The recent instability hampers the efforts being made to re-introduce our resource-rich nation to the global market place.

To bring an end to the unrest, and secure a promising future for our country, we urge that the government of Sierra Leone accelerate efforts of bi-partisanship that President Koroma promised in October 2007.

We are aware that the current administration is burdened with high levels of urban youth unemployment, and is struggling to ensure basic education for our children while improving delivery of health care services—especially the reduction of infant and maternal mortality; to initiate development programs that will improve our economy through accessible banking, agricultural extension services, judicious marine resources exploitation and development of the tourism industry; as well as to regulate the mineral resources industry and minimize the incidence of smuggling while increasing annual exports.

However, to heal the wounds of war, and secure national and international attention, we suggest that the same attention be given to human resource rehabilitation as well as infrastructural improvements. Clearly, there is an urgent need to undertake proper rehabilitation of a nation traumatized not just by the untold suffering in the war, but by decades of mistrust and ill-will, which together have left a lasting legacy of discontent.

We charge President Koroma to make good on his vow to Sierra Leoneans that never again shall we turn against each other to spill the precious blood of our brothers, our sisters or our children. We urge that Mr. Koroma and the government of Sierra Leone continue to keep the peace and build upon it for our time and for posterity.