A Nation’s Collapse: The Civil War Tactic and Impact Case Study: Sierra Leone (1991-2002)

Abstract

Sierra Leone is among the African countries which plunged into a brutal armed conflict that lasted for a long time and had disastrous effects on the country. The war in this country was a product of a complex combination of both internal and external factors. The conflict went on for many years with the rebel forces which used terror tactics of various designs to instill fear and get recognition from the civilian population. Its inability to provide its own security led to its dependence on foreign mercenaries for security.Peace accords provided a framework for a speedy disarmament process. Moreover, external intervention and committed response of the international community, including for example ECOMOG, UNAMSIL and the British army were very important in coercing the warring factions to a negotiating table. As disarmament progressed, peace began to seem more attainable. Thus, the disarmament programme was completed in January, 2002 and the war was officially declared over. The conflict destroyed all economic activities and social and agricultural projects were vandalized or completely looted. Consequently, the crises left the country much more disenchanted. This interruption however, provided an opportunity for the government and people to set fresh goals and priorities for the Sierra Leonean society. Furthermore, they have to start all over again to rebuild their lives and rehabilitate the structures which served them well over the years. The core purpose of this work is to seek the origins and reasons that were behind the onset of the civil war in Sierra Leone and the efforts made to end it. Subsequently, it attempts to highlight the impact of the civil war on life in Sierra Leone and how Sierra Leoneans were displaced, brutalised and tortured, and the devastating effects of the conflict on the social, political, economic field and the infrastructure of the country as a whole.