Sierra Leone must care for war-crimes victims

The special court has meted out justice to perpetrators. Now victims need help.

from the June 25, 2007 edition

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The government is not bound by the TRC recommendations, and it argues that it doesn't have the resources to enact them. Sierra Leone ranks high on the failed-states index and is notoriously corrupt. But the government must quell the growing discontent among the war's victims. For victims to find peace and a sense of justice, the democratically elected government must find a way to care for those whose lives were shattered by the war.

But despite the lack of attention given to war victims, many Sierra Leoneans we have met believe the current ruling party will emerge victorious in this August's elections as the lesser of two evils.

International nongovernmental organizations line the streets of Freetown, but responsibility ultimately lies with the government. The international community is not likely to pressure Sierra Leone through sanctions or other measures. But the issue of reparations is nonetheless a crucial question that the international community must consider as it seeks to support stable conditions here and in so many other troubled areas throughout the African continent.

While the world applauds last week's historic convictions, Ngaujah faces a day just like every other day. He will get up, his wife will dress him in a neatly pressed shirt, and he will climb the steep, stony slope up to the road. He will make his way into the busy streets of Freetown. There he will stand patiently, with dignity, for hours. "Good morning, sir," or, "Good afternoon, ma'am," he will say, hoping a kind heart will drop a few leones in his pocket.

• Angela Lederach and Claire Putzeys are research fellows with the Voice to Vision project of Catalyst Peacebuilding ( www.catalystpeacebuilding.org ), which is dedicated to gathering and telling the stories of forgiveness and reconciliation in postconflict Africa. Voice to Vision field program director Sara Terry contributed to this piece.

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