Civil Society in Sierra Leone: Corruption, Destruction (and Reinvention)

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Periodical article

Title:	Civil Society in Sierra Leone: Corruption, Destruction (and Reinvention)
Author:	Boas, Morten
Year:	2002
Periodical:	Democracy and Development: Journal of West African Affairs
Volume:	3
Issue:	1
Period:	September
Pages:	53-66
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Sierra Leone
Subjects:	political systems Law, Human Rights and Violence Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Politics and Government
Abstract:	After years of civil war, elections were conducted in Sierra Leone in May 2002. Many actors, both internal and external, are involved in the peace process. This article focuses on the possible role of civil society. It examines the history of the relationship between the State and civil society in Sierra Leone, arguing that bureaucratic State institutions and patrimonial rule have always coexisted in the country. In order to understand what kind of role civil society movements can play in the peace process, the author first analyses the corruption of civil society under the neopatrimonial Siaka Stevens regime, and its destruction as the neopatrimonial State withdrew and the civil war entrapped the country. He then examines attempts at the reinvention of civil society and the possible contributions of movements like the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Kamajoi civil defence forces. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]