Sierra Leone - Introduction

Sierra Leone is making strong attempts to escape the "Blood Diamond" branding and soar as a regional leader in democracy, human rights, and governance, but the country is highly vulnerable to failure. The civil war destroyed the country's infrastructure, including physical and human capital, and the process of rebuilding is a long and arduous one.

Freetown, was founded in 1787 as a home for repatriated former slaves from London and the Americas. Sitting on a coastal peninsula, the city overlooks the Sierra Leone Harbor, the world’s third largest natural harbor. Sierra Leone was of not-inconsiderable importance to Britain at various times, for cvariou reasons. At first it was a source of slaves, then a place where freed slaves could be returned to African. Later, the Navy often insisted upon the importance of Sierra Leone as a coaling station. At one time it was suggested that that station should be abandoned, but by 1896 there was no difference of opinion as to the importance of the place.

Sierra Leone is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has taken significant strides following 3 democratic elections since the end of its civil war in 2002. But it is still one of the poorest countries in the world, with associated capacity and other challenges. Sierra Leone has a tolerant multi-religious culture.

The Republic of Sierra Leone, one of Africa’s smaller states (having an area of roughly 28,000 square miles and a population of a little more than 3 million (in the mid-1970s), was characterized in the four decades since independence in 1961 by substantial political instability and by haphazard and rather ineffectual patterns of economic development.

The 1990s brought successive civil disturbances culminating into a ghastly RUF rebel war that led to the intervention of the International Community led by the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). Various international organisations helped provide an environment for free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections of 2002. The war has been officially over since 2002 and the process of rebuilding Sierra Leone and re-establishing its failed institutions is currently underway. Since independence, Sierra Leone had been ruled by 9 Heads of State, at one time making history in the world, of having the youngest Head of State, Valentine Strasser aged 27 years.

Economic hardships are a significant destabilizing force. The massive unemployment, particularly among the nation's youth population whose education was interrupted by war, leaves many angry and idle individuals more than willing to make mischief or worse. Easily manipulated, the "unemployed youth" cohort is responsible for political violence and petty and violent crime. The Sierra Leone Police, riddled with systemic corruption, hampered by virtually no resources, and lacking the most basic training and equipment, is poorly matched against a hungry population already sensitized to brutality.

Sierra Leone is home to more than six million people and provides easy access to markets of 45 million via its membership in the Mano River Union and over 300 million in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Sierra Leone enjoys duty-free access to large markets for certain goods through the EU’s Everything But Arms Initiative and the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). With English as the official language, generally favorable views of the United States, extraordinary religious tolerance, and political stability since the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone presents significant opportunities for investment and engagement.

Sierra Leone has a cash-based society and bank or credit cards are only accepted in a few hotels in Freetown. There are a few ATMs in the capital, but vigilance is required when using them because of high levels of fraud. Outside the capital bank and credit cards are not accepted and it should be assumed that ATMs will not be available.

Opportunities to exchange travellers’ cheques are limited. All foreign exchange transactions must be handled through banks and official exchange offices. A small number of banks in central Freetown may be prepared to accept credit cards to buy local currency.

The World Health Organisation declared Sierra Leone Ebola transmission free on 17 March 2016 following a contained outbreak on 20 January 2016. Rabies, Lassa fever, water-borne diseases, malaria and other tropical diseases are common to Sierra Leone. Cholera is endemic in Sierra Leone with outbreaks, particularly during the rainy season, in areas where there is poor sanitation.

As seen in Mali, Côte D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, terrorist groups continue to mount attacks on beach resorts, hotels, cafés and restaurants visited by foreigners. There may be heightened security at hotels in Sierra Leone, following the terrorist attacks on hotels in Bamako, Mali on 20 November 2015, Ougadougou, Burkina Faso on 15 January 2016 and in Grand, Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire on 13 March 2016.

Lungi airport is situated on the far side of a wide estuary from Freetown. There are several transfer options from Lungi airport including by road, ferry, water taxi and local boats or pirogues. The 3 main water taxi operators run reliable services, with safe vessels. Water taxi – the journey time is usually 25 minutes on the water. These water taxis operate between Freetown (Lumley area) and Lungi. They have navigational aids, night lights and provide life jackets for passengers. They have limited rescue capability.

Crime is widespread in Sierra Leone; US citizens have experienced armed mugging, assault, and burglary. Petty crime and pick-pocketing of wallets, cell phones, and passports are very common, especially on the ferry to and from Lungi International Airport, as well as in the bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in the Lumley Beach and Aberdeen areas of Freetown. The quality of medications in Sierra Leone is inconsistent and counterfeit drugs remain a problem. Areas outside Freetown lack basic services.

The infrastructure of the country is not developed, so patience is needed. Simple tasks, like making or completing a phone call, take longer. Transportation is a huge challenge, with difficult roads, as well as limited and run-down public transportation options.

Most main roads in Freetown are navigable, but narrow and often have potholes. There is limited roadside assistance in country and it is often difficult to find adequate fuel for longer journeys. Serious accidents are common, especially outside of Freetown, where the relative lack of traffic allows for greater speeds. Nighttime travel should be avoided. Public transport (bus or group taxi) is erratic, unsafe, and not recommended.

Erratic driving is common and motorbikes are a particular problem. Most roads have little or no lighting and have hazards like vehicles with no lights, wandering pedestrians and animals. Serious traffic accidents are common. Children will sometimes put a rope across the road and ask for a small donation for mending the road. These incidents are most common at the weekend and on roads to tourist beaches in the Western Area.