Wounds of Civil War Slowly Healing in Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire

As heads of state discussed how to best support Libya in its post conflict transition today at the United Nations, two African Presidents shared their own hands-on experience trying to rebuild war-torn African countries.

Presidents Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone were at the Council on Foreign Relations this afternoon to discuss the challenges of balancing political reconciliation, transitional justice and economic development. 

Although the two countries are at different stages of their transitions—Cote d’Ivoire is barely six months removed from serious fighting while Sierra Leone’s civil war ended nearly a decade ago—the two leaders shared a similar perspective on most issues.

Ouattara and Koroma both argued that creating stable and secure environment was the first step on the path towards reconciliation, but that ultimately, true dialogue between opposing political factions and civil society groups could only be achieved through significant social and economic reform. 

Ouattara said his government has worked hard to stabilize Cote d’Ivoire’s security situation by reaching out to opposing armed groups and trying to integrate them into a cohesive national army ahead of the scheduled parliamentary election in December. 

Ouattara, a former high ranking official at the International Monetary Fund, also discussed some of the economic challenges countries ravaged by domestic strife face when trying to attract external investment and development initiatives.

Koroma argued that building an “open, transparent and attractive” environment and ensuring even distribution of development initiative within society were the two most important steps in securing foreign investments.

Both presidents also recognized the importance of the international community’s work in post conflict societies and lauded the UN’s positive influence in helping bring about the end of war, while voicing concern and disappointment at the AU’s “slow pace decision-making” and limited influence. 

Speaking out for child soldiers

A former child soldier spoke today at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators convention in Washington, D.C. At the age of thirteen, Ishmael Beah found himself fighting in a devastating civil war in the African nation of Sierra Leone. UNICEF saved Beah after he saw two years of combat and helped to ease his transition back into society. Beah authored A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a child soldier. After his presentation, audience members were asked to reflect on Beah’s experiences and given the opportunity to suggest how to prevent children from being forced into combat.

Audience members were appreciative of Beah’s suggestion of increasing student interactions on an international level. Beah supports not only increasing the number of international students studying in the Untied States, but also increasing the number of American students studying in countries like Sierra Leone. Audience members agreed that these interactions would allow or greater understanding of cultural and political differences.

Audience members expressed their desire to increase awareness of child soldiers in Sierra Leone and throughout the world. In the year 2000, Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan estimated that approximately 300,000 children were involved in armed conflicts worldwide.