Operation 'Shift Back'

Operation 'Shift Back' has been requested by both the new Minister of Trade & Industry, Alimamy P Koroma. So says, Gibrilla Turay, a.k.a. Prezo Gibo of the Sierra Leone Traders Union.

Operation Shift Back is all about ensuring that street traders move their stalls back from the major streets of Freetown. Over the years, encroachment onto main roads has been on the increase, which means less space for drivers and other road users.

Under the past regime, the Sierra Leone Police organised Operation Free Flow, which had a similar goal. Encroachment has been driven by the fierce competition in the retail industry. Traders need to be close to the customers or they will lose out to the next trader in line.

Operation Shift Back is focused on Freetown for now.

Let's put things in perspective. Based on the Household Survey of 2004, almost 65% of Sierra Leoneans are engaged in retailing of some sort. This means the livelihood of thousands depends on the industry.

One of the constraints faced by the traders is that prices of goods they retail can be found in shops at the same retail prices so the traders try hard to get to them first - before they even get out of their cars.

With the new government in place, it seems a new attempt, using the Traders Union this time, will try and resolve these issues once and for all. There are markets available and more planned but the traders are reluctant to use them.

As Gibo puts it, "if you have the same group of people importing, wholesaling and retailing at the same time, we are left stranded if we go into markets. A new law would need to be introduced that prohibits the same person from wholesaling and retailing too."

Operation 'Shift Back' is due to be launched on Monday the 12th with the blessing and backing of the Minister of Trade and Industry.

Will it work this time? Have your say!

Omrie Golley is FREE

President Ernest Koroma's government has released Omrie Golley from detention. November 1st 2007 was D-Day as Mr Golley was unconditionally released.

Michael Omrie Golley was a Spokesman for the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) who waged war on Sierra Leone for years. Along with Mohamed Alpha Bah and David Kai Tongi, Omrie Golley had been charged to court in January 2006 for allegedly attempting to assasinate former Vice President of Sierra Leone, Solomon Berewa.

Prior to his release, the accused were being tried at High Court Number 2, in a case that was being presided over by Gambian born Justice Mary Sey.

It was the Attorney General who exercised the power of his office and signed a 'nuille prosequi' order. To us lay folks, this means - no case to answer to. It is reported that the Attorney General's office concluded that there was no relevant evidence to substantiate the allegations levied against the accused hence their releases.

This move is seen to be in line with the pronouncements of the current President when he stated on October 5th that, "Additionally, and also consistent with my government's devotion to promote transparency and fairness in our judicial system, and in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations, politically motivated cases will be reviewed speedily." He pledged that, "never again will the judiciary system be manipulated to unfairly silence political opponents.

Is Sierra Leone heading in the right direction? Have your say!

President Ernest Koroma upsets a FEW?

So, it turns out that His Excellency President Bai Koroma had to travel to Dakar, I believe and he opted for the ferry. Really a man of the People! If you're reading this and you're new to the infrastructure in Sierra Leone then here's some context for you:

Sierra Leone has one 'international airport' at a place called Lungi - hence the name, Lungi International Airport. All international flights use it. From Freetown - the capital city - you have some options to get there. Either by Helicopter or Hovercraft - for the affluent at $50 one way or by road - not advisable or by Ferry, as the President did this morning.

In fact, the President has been known to queue up and by his own ticket for the Ferry - since becoming President.

Anyway, this morning, HE had to fly to Dakar, as already mentioned and the ferry left one hour earlier than scheduled. That left a lot of people stranded.

Some had to make their way back to the helipad in Freetown - at least an hour an a half with traffic or take the final option I forgot to mention - speed boat or pampam. A pampam is a locally made fishing boat and it terrifies a lot of people.

With a scheduled 2.40 Bellview flight, many where not happy. Some argue that this is normal - many African Presidents commandeer national crafts or in this case, ferries when necessary.

Was the President incencitive to leave early? You decide!

We expect him back before November 15th in time for his official inauguration. Will you be there?

Rally against Sexual Violence

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE


AI Index: AFR 51/006/2007 (Public)
News Service No: 208
1 November 2007


Sierra Leone: Mass rally in support of survivors of conflict's sexual violence



At a mass rally held in Makeni in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone today, Amnesty International members and hundreds of other local activists called on the newly elected government of Sierra Leone to commit to ensuring justice and full reparations for the tens of thousands of Sierra Leonean women who have been the victims of sexual violence.

The organization also released a 35-page report entitled "Getting reparations right for survivors of sexual violence,"revealing the extent to which women are still stigmatized and suffering the after-effects of the sexual violence perpetrated during the conflict in Sierra Leone.

"The unimaginable brutality of violations committed against up to one third of Sierra Leone's women and girls, although well-documented, has still not been fully addressed by the government," said Tania Bernath, Amnesty International's researcher on Sierra Leone.

"For the women of Sierra Leone, the story is not over. They need appropriate healthcare and access to justice, work, economic opportunities and educational opportunities to help them to begin to re-build their lives."

Under international law, those responsible for rape, sexual slavery and sexual violence amounting to war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture must be brought to justice and the survivors must receive full and effective reparations. Reparations must, as far as possible, wipe out all consequences of the illegal act and re-establish the situation that would have, in all probability, existed had the act not been committed.

The Lomé Peace Accord, signed in 1999, provided for the establishment of a "Special Fund for War Victims" and for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Despite the government's obligation to establish such a fund and repeated calls from civil society, the fund has not been established.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission also called for the establishment of a reparations process. This is now being set up, with the National Commission for Social Action taking the lead, but it will need the full support of the government to be effective.

"The delay in setting up a special fund for war victims of Sierra Leone's devastating conflict has undoubtedly resulted in further suffering -- especially for the women of Sierra Leone," said Bernath. "Survivors of sexual violence have been denied rehabilitation -- extending their suffering and compounding their physical and psychological problems."

"Implementing the reparations program recommended by the TRC is also crucial and it will be important for the government to get it right so the survivors of sexual violence do not miss out on the much needed reparations"

Amnesty International stressed in its report that the justice process is an important complement to other forms of reparations.

"A properly functioning justice system should enable survivors to describe what has happened to them in an environment that protects their dignity and helps to end impunity for the horrific crimes they have suffered -- holding the perpetrators to account and bringing them to justice."

"It is almost six years since the end of the devastating conflict that wracked Sierra Leone for years, causing immeasurable suffering to civilians in the country -- particularly women," said Bernath. "And yet, the suffering for women has not ended. The lack of justice and effective remedies has to a certain extent set the stage for further violence against women. "

Despite the passage of several women's rights bills, violations of women's rights in Sierra Leone continue unabated. Not only is violence against women and girls rampant, but efforts to prosecute perpetrators have been largely ineffective.

"Family mediation aimed at restoring 'peace' in rape cases contributes to impunity -- rather than furthering justice," said Bernath. "Such mediation facilitates the government evading its responsibility to ensure that all violence against women is prosecuted."

Background
There has been little justice for survivors of war-related sexual violence in Sierra Leone. On 20 June 2007 the Special Court for Sierra Leone found three senior members of the AFRC guilty of 11 out of 14 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. These included rape and outrages on personal dignity including sexual slavery. Remarkably, this was the first instance of anyone in Sierra Leone being held to account for war-related crimes. While this is a significant step forward in the fight against impunity, it is only a small and partial response to addressing impunity for these crimes, since thousands of others have escaped justice.

However an amnesty clause in the Lomé Accord bars prosecution of anyone accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes between 1991 and 1999. The amnesty also precludes victims from seeking reparations from perpetrators in Sierra Leone's national courts.

Amnesty International continues to call on the government of Sierra Leone to revoke its amnesty law as a matter of urgency and to prioritize rebuilding the justice system in order to effectively investigate all crimes committed during the conflict and prosecute those suspected to committing the crimes.

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To see a full copy of the report Sierra Leone: Getting reparations right for survivors of sexual violence, please go to: http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr510052007



Public Document
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Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org

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