Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone govt still not in control of diamond areas

afrol News 14 January - Although the peace process is considered nearly finalised, the government of Sierra Leone is reported not to have established control of its entire territory yet, in particular areas of diamond production. While Guinean troops are in control of some areas, old rebel structures may still control the diamond production in others. 

The United Nations Security Council on Friday had voiced concern that the government of Sierra Leone has not yet fully re-established control in parts of the country, including the diamond-producing areas, and urged authorities in Freetown "to make rapid progress with this, including by adopting a policy for the diamond sector."

The diamond-producing areas of the impoverished country were under the control of the brutal RUF rebels during the ten years of civil war, which was ended in mid-2001. Control of the diamonds was identified as a major cause of the prolonged war and diamonds were certainly fuelling the conflict in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The RUF rebels only reluctantly agreed to give up control of the diamond-producing areas.

Information from the UN confirms that the Sierra Leonean government has not been capable of extending its authority throughout the country. Some areas close to the Guinean border, notably the town of Yenga, are still under the control of Guinean forces, which had assisted in the war against RUF. The UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) was monitoring and assisting the Freetown government in this matter, it was said.

According to UNAMSIL spokesman Masimba Tafirenyika, the UN peacekeepers were also "monitoring the extension of government authority in areas previously occupied by rebels." This not only involved security issues but also "the return of paramount chiefs, the establishment of local government authorities, deployment of Sierra Leone Police as well as the deployment of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces." 

It remains unclear to which degree the former rebels of the RUF - now a political party that gained poor results in the latest Sierra Leone elections - are in control of any diamond-producing areas, or who indeed was making profit from diamond production there. There are however indications that the illicit diamond trade from the regions remains substantial, although the gems' country of origin are unclear. 

While the extension of government authority goes much slower than anticipated, the UN maintains that the Sierra Leonean peace and reconciliation process in on track. The RUF rebels are reported to have been completely disarmed, at least according to official figures. The next steps of the reconciliation process in Sierra Leone include the establishment of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (to rule on war crimes) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

The UN is further assisting the government to strengthen the army and police, including through logistical and infrastructural support, "so that they can soon assume full responsibility for security," according to a UN statement.

Sources: Based on UN sources and afrol archives

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