Higher employment and reducing gaps are key in maintaining the peace and strengthening democracy in Sierra Leone. The country’s young people, who have been suffering tremendously as a result of the war, are in great need of education. A particular focus on women is important in giving them a greater influence.
The overall targets for Sweden’s development co-operation with Sierra Leone include increasing the respect for individuals’ freedom and rights. Welfare must improve if the situation is to become safer, especially for women and girls. Education is the solution to many problems.
Sweden is providing support for education within the framework for Sierra Leone’s national education plan. In the first stage, we are examining appropriate forms for the support and opportunity for collaboration between different donors.
Unstable situation
Our development co-operation is being further complicated by the unstable situation in the country. Our efforts must quickly be adapted to the country’s needs. There is still a major need for humanitarian help and these efforts must be co-ordinated with the development co-operation.
Tangible contributions include support for the UN’s programme for collecting and destroying arms. Soldiers have been persuaded to hand over their weapons and new licensing laws have been introduced. Despite that, the peace remains fragile and the country is dependent on political developments in its neighbouring countries.
A special court has been set up to try those who committed crimes against human rights during the civil war. Sida has been supporting its operations. The country’s truth and reconciliation commission has also received support from Sida.
Major efforts still required
The country’s situation is troublesome. Many people cannot read and there is great poverty. Sierra Leone also has the world’s highest maternal and child mortality figures.
Conflicts can escalate quickly. The high level of youth unemployment is also causing many youngsters to become involved in crime or prostitution.
The work of creating a functioning society has taken longer than expected. The UN’s peace-building commission, which was established in 2006, has therefore selected Sierra Leone for one of its first projects. Sweden is one of the countries that has been selected to work with Sierra Leone. Education has been chosen as one area for Sweden’s efforts.
