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Abstract
This article examines the legacy and ongoing threat of historical neglect and marginalisation of youth in Sierra Leone, and the implications for the peacebuilding process in the country. This threat, embedded in the current socio-economic status quo, has bred energetic but disillusioned, violence-tested and frustrated youth willing to resort to any means for survival. Such societal vulnerabilities, stemming in part from young people’s willingness to engage in violence, continue to test the resilience of the peacebuilding process. Underpinning this article are extensive interviews and focus group discussions conducted with youth and other relevant stakeholders across the country on issues related to youth and the peacebuilding process in Sierra Leone. Findings from this study provide new perspectives on the challenges faced by youth, the government’s inability to meet their needs, and the implications for the country’s peacebuilding process.
Notes
1 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 8 September 2015.
2 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 7 September 2015.
3 Author’s interview conducted in Kenema on 13 September 2015.
4 Author’s interview conducted in Kenema on 12 September 2015.
5 Author’s interview conducted in Kono on 6 August 2015.
7 Author’s interview conducted in Makeni on 1 September 2015.
8 The West Side Boys is a splinter group of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) after the regime was kicked out of power and Freetown in 1998 by the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
9 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 10 September 2015.
10 Based on author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 3 July 2015 with a Socio-Economic Reintegration expert who worked on the DDR programme in Sierra Leone.
11 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 8 September 2015.
12 See www.scsl.org, accessed 7 October 2015.
13 See the National Youth Commission Act of 2009.
14 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 1 October 2015 with a senior official of the National Youth Commission.
15 Author's interview conducted in Freetown on 14 October 2015.
16 Author’s interview conducted in Kambia on 15 October 2015.
17 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 30 September 2015.
18 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 30 September 2015.
19 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 30 October 2015 with Kalokoh, a teacher.
20 Author’s interview conducted in Kailahun on 3 October 2015.
21 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 13 October 2015.
22 Author’s interview conducted in Kenema on 13 September 2015.
23 The outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone in 2014 had a negative impact on the economy and by extension worsened the socio-economic status of youths. In trying to contain the virus, most economic activities were suspended with a State of Emergency declared in June 2014.
24 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 19 August 2015.
25 Author's interview conducted in Freetown on 14 October 2015.
26 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 19 September 2015.
27 Author’s interview conducted in Freetown on 19 September 2015.
28 Author’s interview conducted in Pujehun on 4 October 2015.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Ibrahim Bangura
IBRAHIM BANGURA has worked extensively in the fields of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, security sector reform, sustainable livelihoods, gender and conflict resolution. He currently works as a consultant and also lectures at the Peace and Conflict Studies Programme, University of Sierra Leone.