Sierra Leone
Youth marginalisation and the burdens of war in Sierra Leone
The transformation of the world system after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 provided a new era of free democratic uncertainties in the lives of the youth population in both West and Eastern Europe. Uncertainties that have never been free or democratic, yet always part of the lives of most youth in Africa. In the case of Sierra Leone, young people have been struggling for a factual democratisation process and participatory governance since its independence in 1961, thus revealing the role the Sierra Leonean youth has been keen to play in the country’s political, social and economic processes.
The role of civil societies on youth empowerment in post-war Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, young people constitute about 34 per cent of the country’s total 5.6 million estimated population. The broad definition of youth in Sierra Leone includes people between 15-35 years old, of whom 70 per cent are unemployed and 53.4 per cent are illiterate. As a result, the lack of employment and educational opportunities has become one of the major concerns of the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL). In this complex context numerous local civil society organizations, together with the GoSL, have played a significant role in empowering young people, who were the most active players in Sierra Leone’s decade civil war (1991-2002). According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report the conflict was caused by years of bad governance, endemic corruption and the denial of basic human rights, which created deplorable conditions for Sierra Leoneans. Amidst this context, most of the country’s civil society organizations were established during and after the end of the war, aiming above all to empower minority groups including youth and women, monitor government activities, supplement human services and advocate for human rights. Hence, these organizations have given substantial support and hope to the country’s post-war recovery and development, and to the improved status of youth.
Sierra Leone : remettre l’agriculture sur pied
Sierra Leone: nursing agriculture back to health
Fin de parcours pour le Tribunal spécial pour la Sierra Léone
Sierra Leone: La paix en construction
Peace in Sierra Leone, a project under construction
The Special Court for Sierra Leone rests — for good
Investment Policy Review - Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has important investment opportunities and growth potential in various sectors of the economy. The country continues however to bear the impact of the civil war 2002, including in terms of weak economic performance, human capital shortages, deficient infrastructure network and poor image. The investment policy review (IPR) takes note of the open and favourable FDI regulatory regime and of the guarantee against expropriation. It stresses though that the government policy should target the negotiations of a more comprehensive bilateral investment treaty and double taxation treaty network to boost the country's FDI attractiveness. At the request of the Government of Sierra Leone, the report outlines the elements of a strategy to stimulate investment while urging the international community to continue supporting the peace and economic reform processes in Sierra Leone.
Assessment of Development Results - Sierra Leone
Report on the Implementation of the Investment Policy Review: Sierra Leone
In 2024, the Government of Sierra Leone requested UNCTAD to review the implementation of the Investment Policy Review (IPR) recommendations and provide guidance to continue improving the investment environment. This report analyses progress and suggests additional actions to support the achievement of Sierra Leone’s 2024–2030 Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), based on UNCTAD’s Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD).
No. 32656. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone
Exchange of notes constituting an agreement concerning certain commercial debts (The United Kingdom/Sierra Leone Debt Agreement No. 6 (1994)) (with annex). Freetown, 13 and 15 December 1994
No. 31725. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone
Exchange of notes constituting an agreement concerning certain commercial debts (The United Kingdom/Sierra Leone Debt Agreement No. 5 (1992)) (with annex). Freetown, 18 October and 1 November 1993
No. 32279. International Development Association and Sierra Leone
Development Credit Agreement Urban Water Supply Project (with schedules and General Conditions Applicable to Development Credit Agreements dated 1 January 1985). Signed at Washington on 15 May 1995
No. 33576. International Development Association and Sierra Leone
Development Credit Agreement-Transport Sector Project (with schedules and General Conditions Applicable to Development Credit Agreements dated 1 January 1985). Signed at Washington on 22 July 1996