Fr. Louis BIRA sx
This April 27, 2021, Sierra Leone celebrates 60 years of its political independence. A country at peace and where it is wonderful to live, Sierra Leone is unknown to a large public, especially outside. Its progress after years of political and social crisis is often overlooked.
A look other than that of "blood diamond"
For many people, Sierra Leone looks like the events discribed in the film "blood diamond" by Edward Zwick with Leonardo Di Caprio, Djimon Hounsou and Jennifer Connelly. This film, which is inspired by the horrors of the civil war in Sierra Leone, brought to the world the image of a country languishing in misery despite its rich natural resources and especially diamond. More recently, it was the Ebola virus that once again made Sierra Leone to appear on the headlines of TV news. Thus, there are so many negative clichés that this country is described as dangerous and therefore to be avoided.
However, once there, we realize that the reality is different from that described in “blood diamond”. Certainly, since 1991 Sierra Leone has experienced an cruel civil war and the scars are still visible on the victims. But today it is a country at peace celebrating 60 years of political independence. Indeed, since 2007, the country has started a democratic process. In 2018, the country had a successful political change of power with the election of the current President Julius Maada Bio from the opposition party. He replaced Ernest Bai Koroma, elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2013. In other words, 30 years after the start of the civil war, the world is discovering a new Sierra Leone.
Fortunately, the negative stereotypes are already starting to fall. Indeed, in preparation of the celebration of Independence Day, the France-Television channel consacrated a report to tourism in Sierra Leone. Released on April 22 in the 8 p.m. Tv programme, the reporter referred to Sierra Leone as a "forgotten natural paradise, a country at peace for a long time, one of the best coasts in West Africa." It is therefore a new look that is initiated.
The best product to export
Beyond beautiful beaches for tourism, Sierra Leone offers more than one can imagine. It is about peaceful coexistence among religions; Traditional Religion, Islam and Christianity. According to a report of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, in 2019, out of an estimated population of 7, 813, 215, 77% are Muslims, 21% are Christians predominantly Protestants and 2% belong to traditional religions. Even though the country is predominantly Muslim, all of its presidents have been Christians except Ahmad Tejan Kabbah who was a Muslim. It is a rare fact in Africa that it should be noted. Because in general the religious fact weighs a lot on the political scene.
In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship (2020), in the section devoted to “Religion and Violence” (281-284), Pope Francis speaks of “a journey of peace that is possible between religions ”, (n ° 281). The context of Inter-religious harmony in Sierra Leone proves that peace among religions is not just a possibility, but a reality. In a world where inter-religious conflicts are exasperated by economic and political factors, the Sierra Leonean experience stands out as an example. This is to say that the best the country has to offer the world is its model of peace among religions. This is the best product the country has to export, better than diamond.
After 60 years of independence, Sierra Leone has made a good path of political and social progress. The country must now face other challenges if it has to consolidate the gains of the past. In my view, three are the major challenges that the country has to address. 1/ Progress in the field of social justice in view of a fair redistribution of wealth among its citizens;
2/ fight against corruption in order for the country to increase its income so as to be able to pay a fair salary to all public servants;
3/formation of real political subjects in order to allow them to make an informed discernment in time of political elections. And thus to avoid the bipolar and regional vote which leaves the citizens only the choice between the APC and the SLPP, the two major political parties. These challenges can be met by "God’s pawa", by the grace of God - as it is commonly said here in Sierra Leone, and by the great love for "Mama Salone" that characterizes Sierra Leoneans. So help us God!
This April 27, 2021, Sierra Leone celebrates 60 years of its political independence. A country at peace and where it is wonderful to live, Sierra Leone is unknown to a large public, especially outside. Its progress after years of political and social crisis is often overlooked.
A look other than that of "blood diamond"
For many people, Sierra Leone looks like the events discribed in the film "blood diamond" by Edward Zwick with Leonardo Di Caprio, Djimon Hounsou and Jennifer Connelly. This film, which is inspired by the horrors of the civil war in Sierra Leone, brought to the world the image of a country languishing in misery despite its rich natural resources and especially diamond. More recently, it was the Ebola virus that once again made Sierra Leone to appear on the headlines of TV news. Thus, there are so many negative clichés that this country is described as dangerous and therefore to be avoided.
However, once there, we realize that the reality is different from that described in “blood diamond”. Certainly, since 1991 Sierra Leone has experienced an cruel civil war and the scars are still visible on the victims. But today it is a country at peace celebrating 60 years of political independence. Indeed, since 2007, the country has started a democratic process. In 2018, the country had a successful political change of power with the election of the current President Julius Maada Bio from the opposition party. He replaced Ernest Bai Koroma, elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2013. In other words, 30 years after the start of the civil war, the world is discovering a new Sierra Leone.
Fortunately, the negative stereotypes are already starting to fall. Indeed, in preparation of the celebration of Independence Day, the France-Television channel consacrated a report to tourism in Sierra Leone. Released on April 22 in the 8 p.m. Tv programme, the reporter referred to Sierra Leone as a "forgotten natural paradise, a country at peace for a long time, one of the best coasts in West Africa." It is therefore a new look that is initiated.
The best product to export
Beyond beautiful beaches for tourism, Sierra Leone offers more than one can imagine. It is about peaceful coexistence among religions; Traditional Religion, Islam and Christianity. According to a report of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, in 2019, out of an estimated population of 7, 813, 215, 77% are Muslims, 21% are Christians predominantly Protestants and 2% belong to traditional religions. Even though the country is predominantly Muslim, all of its presidents have been Christians except Ahmad Tejan Kabbah who was a Muslim. It is a rare fact in Africa that it should be noted. Because in general the religious fact weighs a lot on the political scene.
In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship (2020), in the section devoted to “Religion and Violence” (281-284), Pope Francis speaks of “a journey of peace that is possible between religions ”, (n ° 281). The context of Inter-religious harmony in Sierra Leone proves that peace among religions is not just a possibility, but a reality. In a world where inter-religious conflicts are exasperated by economic and political factors, the Sierra Leonean experience stands out as an example. This is to say that the best the country has to offer the world is its model of peace among religions. This is the best product the country has to export, better than diamond.
After 60 years of independence, Sierra Leone has made a good path of political and social progress. The country must now face other challenges if it has to consolidate the gains of the past. In my view, three are the major challenges that the country has to address. 1/ Progress in the field of social justice in view of a fair redistribution of wealth among its citizens;
2/ fight against corruption in order for the country to increase its income so as to be able to pay a fair salary to all public servants;
3/formation of real political subjects in order to allow them to make an informed discernment in time of political elections. And thus to avoid the bipolar and regional vote which leaves the citizens only the choice between the APC and the SLPP, the two major political parties. These challenges can be met by "God’s pawa", by the grace of God - as it is commonly said here in Sierra Leone, and by the great love for "Mama Salone" that characterizes Sierra Leoneans. So help us God!