Sierra Leone: Elections Bring Hope for a Former Failed State

Posted in News by AGavin on August 9th, 2007

Source:All Africa  

 Donald Steinberg has said it just right. In his article from AllAfrica.com, a website about “guess what?” – All Africa, he has highlighted the important step that Sierra Leone is about to face in its progression of democratic principles.  Sierra Leone is on the brink of democratic election which will be held on August 11. The success of this election will be a major determining factor in Sierra Leone’s trek out of a ‘failed state’ status. 

This is significantly important to trade of conflict diamonds. In order to help curb this practice, we need to understand the true source of the continuation of violence. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with diamonds. The true perpetrator of harm to the victims of blood diamonds is ‘corruption’. Corruption is what allows this trade to continue. 

However, there is hope just two days away. If these elections follow through democratically and without a violent response by those who lose, it will be a sign steering away from corruption. Corruption must stop for the violence to stop.