In Sierra Leone Elections Update - 3, Swit Salone writes:

National Electoral Commission has announced 100% of all presidential votes. All Peoples Congress (APC) candidate, Ernest Bai, Koroma has won 44% of the votes while the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has won 38% of the total vote. The People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) leader Charles F. Margai won 14%; a remarkable feat for a political party less than 1½ years old. The constitution of Sierra Leone stipulates that a presidential candidate has to win at least fifty-five (55%) percent of the total votes in the first round of elections to prevent a run-off.

If the A.P.C had managed to gain at least 50.5% of the votes in the first round then they would have been guaranteed the win in the 2^nd round single-majority-win election. Charles Margai the leader of the P.M.D.C whom many believed shortchanged the SLPP of votes in key areas in the South & East has announced that he will form an alliance with the APC. However the other members of the PMDC party executive board proclaimed that Margai’s decision to join the APC was unilateral and that they are not following suit.

Jill and Dan write about the apprehensions felt going into the election and the break down of supporters regionally:

National Presidential Elections were held throughout the country last Saturday. We haven't mentioned it because there was so much uncertainty about how things would go… and lots of warnings to be prepared for the worst. Sometimes things flare up so fast — especially here where there is palpable discontent with the high rates of unemployment and the dismal state of social services and infrastructure. But as far as we know, everything seems to have gone off well. BBC has announced “free and fair” elections. There were over 4000 international election observers posted throughout the country to ensure this, and to report on anything seeming a bit fishy. There were a few political skirmishes here and there, but people turned out to vote peacefully in record numbers. We were told something like 2.6 million voters registered for this election — around 93-95% of the voting population. And people have high hopes for positive changes.
So far, five days later (as today is Thursday), the word is that somewhere between 17-19% of the votes have been officially tallied and counted. It will take a while before any results will be announced. At first, radio stations and party spokespeople, even the UN and NGOs were hearing all kinds of info, some of it conflicting. Whenever a tentative result was announced, whichever side was in the lead at that moment would claim it was winning. So now, we don't hear anything. Most of the country is expecting a runoff election to take place in a few more weeks. There were 7 candidates on the ballot on Saturday, and no clear winner as of yet. Seats in Parliament were up for grabs, and historically the North and West (predominantly Temne) support the APC party and the East and South (predominantly Mende) support the SLPP (current party in power). Of course this is a huge oversimplification of things, but basically those are the two parties with the largest bases of support, and typically over the last 30-40 years or so, power goes back and forth between the two. It's possible that some seats in Parliament will change and there might be some shifts… that's what people are waiting for as well as to hear if there's going to be a Presidential runoff or not

Sandra’s Latest gave us the latest statistics on the elections as 34.3% of the votes were announced:

The latest election update (from yesterday) is that 2119 of 6171 (34.3%) of the polling stations have reported their results. So far there has been a lot of fluctuation in the outcome. A couple days ago APC had over 70% of the votes, but the following day it was SLPP that was ahead. The presidential winner must take more than 55 percent of the vote to avoid a run-off. Here are the latest results:

Candidate Votes Percentage

Ernest Bai Koroma (All Peoples Congress) 46.17%
Andrew Turay (Convention Peoples Party) 1.4%
Alhaji Amadu Jalloh (National Democratic Alliance) 1.02%
Kandeh Baba Conteh (Peace and Liberation Party) 0.56%
Charles F. Margai (People's Movement for Democratic Change) 15.17%
Solomon E. Berewa (Sierra Leone People's Party) 35.32%
Prof. Abdul Kady Karim (United National People's Party) 0.37%

Swit Salone writes about the experience of being a national observer for the elections as well as lessons to be learnt from the results:

First stop on my observation was PortLoko….got there right as the polling center was opening and everything was orderly…..old, young, and not so old sierra leoneans waited sometimes patiently and other times a little rowdy but it was all in good spirit. All polling stations that I observed in Port Loko, Bombali, and Tonkolili [three districts in the northern part of Sierra Leone] were predominantly Temne speaking areas….and even without them saying, it was obvious that they were voting APC…..the most prevalent issue in the polling stations was that people didnt know how to vote….Some polling center officers and managers spent time explaining the processes in temne and sometimes in krio but even with the explanations people were confused about the process…some people didnt mark anything on their ballot paper while others selected multiple candidates or all the candidates. Some people signed their name instead of indicating their choice with a check mark or thumb print. In the polling stations and centers that i observed nothing peculiar happened that disrupted the process though rumors of pre-voted ballot boxes were rife everywhere……i dont know of any proven box stuffing incidents….

The biggest lessons from these elections are that Sierra Leoneans are never again going to let themselves be ruled by a regime that doesn't deliver. The funny thing is that most people who voted against the APC recognize that much may not change with the APC and that all politicians are pretty much the same but they voted for change to send a message to all parties that we are a changed people. We believe in accountability and anyone who does not meet our expectations will be voted out. Even if the SLPP wins, the message has been sent….loud and clear….WAY MAN DEM NO GLADI WI DAY VOTE FOR CHANGE....[meaning when the people aren’t happy they will vote for change…a popular saying by youth in Freetown, the nation’s capital]

During the campaigns, Nasratha wrote about about the first ever presidential debates in the country:

Last Week, the first ever presidential debates were held in Freetown at Lagoonda Entertainment Complex and this young wannabe scored tickets curtesy of a friend with the BBC. All parties were represented at the Debate besides the SLPP….Berewa refused to attend the debate because as he believed who ever was hosting it had no authority to call him to a debate and what not. Anyhoo, all the other parties were there though Charles Margai was about an hour late due to the fact that they were holding their rally earlier on that day.

First of I must admit that I questioned the relevance of the debates so late into to the campaigns….Almost everyone Tuesday of last week had already chosen their party….Also with most of Sierra Leoneans being illiterate….i questioned whether it was useful to have the debates in English….As far as I'm concerned these debates were more for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora (who are not voting) and the self satisfaction of the organisers themselves.

Since none of the candidates won 55% of the votes, there will be a run-off on September 8th, 2007 as Sandra announces on her blog:

1,839,208 votes at 6,171 polling stations have been counted. The results are out. At 10:00 this morning the final results of the Sierra Leone elections were announced over the radio. To be honest, the announcement did not come as a surprise. For the past week people have been talking about the upcoming run-off. The only difference now is that it is official. And the campaigning can begin.

The presidential run-off between the All People’s Congress and the Sierra Leone People’s Party will be held on Saturday, September 8th, 2007.

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Sierra Leone, like many other African countries, is guilty of “state led prostitution” in its attempts to bring investors back into the country, argues Sweet Sierra Leone. She writes:

When poor countries are trying to get investors they usually embark on what i like to call “state led prostitution”. The government basically has to prostitute itself and its resources to any one willing to bid (not even the highest bidder). This means giving tax breaks and signing deals that are more in favor of the foreign companies than national interest. In the name of privatization and foreign direct investment many African nations including Sierra Leone have been guilty of “state led prostitution”. The kind of investors who take deals from prostituting states generally do so to avoid corporate social responsibility or restrictions in other countries that are more in favor of national welfare. The tricky thing about state-led prostitution in countries like Sierra Leone however, is that the market is highly competitive. “It's a prostitute eat prostitute world” There is always the threat that another prostituting state in Africa or elsewhere could make a more attractive offer to the investing client. The question for states like Sierra Leone then becomes: “How can I make my country attractive for investment without embarking on state-led prostitution and preserving national welfare?”

However, she sees signs of hope and optimism in the form of corporate social responsibility, where companies like Celtel in Sierra Leone are investing not only in infrastructure but also in the people through campaigns such as Build Our Nation and Come Back Home:

Celtel Academy Freetown is a training academy that will bring “world class educational opportunity combined with the depth and speed of information technology and the internet” to Sierra Leone. If Sierra Leoneans are endowed with cutting edge skills then companies like Celtel will reduce their dependence on foreign expats. With this training academy, Celtel is making a decision to not only invest in infrastructure but also in people. Infrastructural developments are good but without skills, brain power, and leadership; buildings and roads will crumble and decay. Another example of Celtel’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility in Sierra Leone is the recently launched “Build Our Nation” Campaign. The goal of this campaign is to provide much needed school supplies and books to secondary schools in need. The company has set aside a total of Le. 450 million ($150,724) for the first year of implementation. Additionally, the “Come. Back Home” Campaign in an effort to recruit Sierra Leoneans and other Africans in the diaspora who are interested in living and working in Africa to join their corporate family. The company will be participating in career fairs in the UK and the US during the course of this year to make Sierra Leoneans aware of the opportunities available with Celtel.

Other Celtel's initiatives aimed at developing local talents and skills in Sierra Leone are Celtel Academy, Employee Education Fund, Celtel Talent and Graduate Development Programmes, and HIV/AIDS Initiative- Headstart.

Justin, who blogs at Live From Freetown, works for Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone. He writes about “the abnormally nice things that normal people do” in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone:

It amazes me that when I go to a person on the street and ask for help, the person will often go to great lengths to assist. It could be somebody downtown wanting to sell me mobile phone (and I’m looking for a less expensive model, therefore he goes on a mission to find one), or the woman in a small shop willing to lend me a bottle opener for a few hours with no collateral. Honestly, you’d be amazed at the abnormally nice things that normal people do.

But there is nothing nice about bureaucracy:

So today, after an exceptionally frustrating couple of days, I ventured into Freetown Cold Storage, also the home of the Swiss high commission. One of my colleagues is going to Switzerland to deliver a presentation to the UN in Geneva at the beginning of June, and we need a visa, and we need it stat.

I brought the form, the passport, the money, the invitation letter, and two passport photos. The secretary for the consular looked it over.

“You need another letter.”

“What do you mean.”

“To say he works for Mercy Ships.”

“But he’s going on UN business, not Mercy Ships business.”

“It does not matter. You need to prove he is employed by you.”

“If I give you these, can you please start processing the visa while I fax you the letter today?”

“I can not process it until I have the letter.”

“Alright. How long will this take.”

“Between seven and ten days.”

“This is urgent. Can you process it faster please?
“The documentation is incomplete.”

“Yes, I know. And I will fax it to you. But is there any chance the process can be sped up?”

“Under normal circumstances, it takes between seven and ten days.”

“Yes, this is not a normal circumstance. He flies out on June 4.”

“No, his proposed date of travel is June 4.”

“No. I have his ticket here. The date of travel is June 4. That’s why I would like you to please ensure this goes as quickly as possible.”

“But your documentation is incomplete.”

“Yes, but let’s just pretend it isn’t. I’ll fax the letter once I get back to the office.”

“I can not begin until I have it.”

“Look. I have a Swiss passport, which means I am a Swiss citizen. You working for the Swiss high commission means you work for the Swiss government. And since that is my government, you work for me. Can I please have some cooperation?”

Paul is a volunteer with the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). What is a day in the life of a VSO volunteer in Sierra Leone like? Paul sheds some light:

The day begins refreshingly early since without electricity, retiring in the evening prior is also early. The dark silence is broken gradually by the call of the muezzin and then the church bells, the screech of the cocks and the barking of dogs as activity starts and the first light appears. Rising at about 6:30 I go for a jog around the local football field and enjoy the company of locals now almost a club of early birders. A quick trip to the well to gather the water for my bucket shower is followed by a breakfast of local bread and ground nut paste. By 8:00am I am ready to leave and the girls at St. Joseph school opposite my house greet me with the chorus of the national anthem before school begins. A brisk 15 minute walk to work at this time of day when the sun is low is comfortable and I wave to the passers by and answer in Temne to their greetings. Children shout “opporto” from the Portuguese derivative at the strange sight of a white person and I smile. I arrive at work in a lifted mood and think how different and more pleasant this is compared to turning up for work in Canada.

Diamond tales is a moving post at Visit Sierra Leoneabout visiting local diamond miners in Sierra Leone:

We stopped and continued on foot. Walking through some typical bush forest. Few villages, much forest, the rebels had a strong presence in this area during the war. It was also for most civilians, the only way to flee. The roads were too dangerous: too many rebels, too many soldiers, and too many problems.
Rashid was in an upbeat mood and happy to have taken a day off from ‘selling radios’. He didn’t get out much, had middlemen who take care of most things. I was surprised to only find women when I first walked out of the forest, and reached the river. This side was meant for washing gold, and it was here that the women were. On the other side of the river were the men. The men who were diving, digging and shaking gravel in the hope of finding some diamonds….
When the groups of diggers get bigger, roles become more flexible and groups work together. In the case of smaller operations (i.e. 4 groups of three to four men); first you worry about the gravel then about the shaking it. The shaking then only takes place in the afternoon. In the case of larger operations (i.e. 30-40 men), shaking takes place more regularly.

The divers are usually chosen men, the remaining men are ‘workers’ and the man overseeing operations may be called ‘miner’. There is no fix terminology, but a miner is often the man who has the license, the manager could be a boss who doesn’t have a license (i.e. directly working for the supporter, often a Lebanese).

Diving is difficult and divers command more respect. Some men told me about their wish to become divers, seen as a little higher at what is the bottom of the diamond chain. I did ask two divers what they felt about diving and health. They didn’t see any major problems with this, although diving for such lengths of time on a daily basis must have some effect on the man’s health.
Steven, one diver in the pictures had just come back up from his long dive. It took 15 minutes before I spoke to him; he was still under the shock of the temperature difference. Smiling as often, we exchanged greetings. He like the others was happy that this was a Thursday and the Friday would be their day of rest.
Some of the men spend one to two hours at the bottom of the river. Usually four to five fathoms or fader (1 fathom = 0.9144 metres, any suggestions on why people in Salone still use this unit of measurement?), depths, that increase as the first rains set in. A pump ensures that the diver gets the necessary oxygen. A long rubber tube that passes through an empty gas container, and attached to the pump facilitates the sending down of air.

Visit Sierra Leone wishes that Leonardo DiCapriohad visited Sierra Leone before making the movie, Blood Diamond:

Much of the diamonds passed through Koindu to be brought to Monrovia. Issa Sesay, Sam Bockarie (aka Mosquito),and Gibril Massaquoi, amongst others, were heavily involved and Charles Taylor seemed to have the right contacts. The rest (much smaller) was bought on ‘fly-ins’, foreigners flying in, buying stones, paying the right man to remain silent, and flying back out. Alternatively also through smuggling. In this regard, Blood Diamond did get its story right. An action film, a Holywood thriller, a film that could be sold to the masses in Europe and North America. The frustration I shared with many was the image it portrayed of this country at present. The past must not be forgotten but this was not really the ideal image to be portrayed of a country in the middle of registration for presidential elections. Yes the blood diamond awareness campaign was important, but the least Leonardo and company could have done is to have flown to Salone and to come back reporting that it is back in business.

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If you’ve searched for blogs from or on Sierra Leone, there are two things that should be obvious by now: (1) the Sierra Leonean blogosphere is very small (2) most people blogging from Sierra Leone are international expats or volunteers currently working in the country. The blogs either focus on the implementation of projects (mostly NGO related) or personal experiences (difficulties/joys) of living in Sierra Leone as a native of another country.

Live From Freetown is a blog with photos, music, commentary on Sierra Leone by a Canadian volunteer, Justin, with Mercy Ships in the capital Freetown. Justin introduces himself:

Hi, I’m Justin and this is my blog from Freetown, Sierra Leone. I work for a global charity called Mercy Ships. While my organization is best known for having floating hospitals, we have two land-based centres here in this country. We are one of the few centres in Africa that provides surgery for obstetric fistula, and we also work in primary healthcare and community development.

What’s up with the blog? Well, I thought it would be pretty interesting for people to read what is happening here in West Africa, and to get a day-to-day glimpse into the life of a transplanted Westerner. I’m writing about the things I see, hear, and experience and sometimes, they’re not pretty.

More about me… I’m originally from a small town called Breslau, which is an hour away from Toronto, Ontario. I studied political science at the University of Waterloo. The future? Grad school, hopefully in Europe. Subject of study: law or development.

Jill and Dan in Sierra Leone is a blog by an American couple working for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Sierra Leone. Their March 30th, 2007 post reads:

Hi all, I know it's been a while since I last wrote. My latest trip was again to Kenema and then Kailahun to disburse the 2nd half of the grants that I helped distribute back in December. The trip out was relatively uneventful. I found that almost no progress has been made on the reconstruction of the main road out. It was still dusty and a long drive, 5 hours or so. Our security guy and country rep didn't want us keeping large amounts of cash on us this time, so it was decided that we would have to return all the way back to Kenema every day. This added an extra hour in the morning and evening. Unfortunately we had no choice in the matter and to be fair carrying millions of leones around is probably not the best idea.

Anyway, after meeting up with Salim, our agricultural guy, we figured out a process for getting the money every morning from the safe. By this time it was time to go to guest house and hopefully get some rest. But it was not to be. The power in Kenema used to be excellent (back in October), but now it isn't strong enough to run an air conditioner. So this left me in an extremely hot and noisy room (people talking and the generator blaring when the power went out altogether) with only a bit of air movement from the fan. I did manage to get a little sleep but around 5 am the call to prayer started (Of course I had forgotten my earplugs, lesson learned). Unlike most other mosques, this one broadcast the entire 45 minute service. By the time it ended, the “snorer” started up. It was unbelievably loud, and I pretty much gave up at this point and got up.

Kuranko-Land Sierra Leone is a blog by an American woman, Emily, from Michigan whose husband is studying West African forest buffaloes in Northern Sierra Leone (Kabala):

I direct the education & community partnerships for a regional family-owned theatre circuit in West and Central Michigan. My husband Aaron is in the midst of a PhD biology degree, studying ‘behavioral ecology' of the W. African Forest buffalo. He grew up in Sierra Leone, is fluent in a number of languages spoken in the north of the country, and is committed both to the people and conservation of natural resources. We are juggling an interesting first few years of marriage! I have been incredibly privileged to get access to the wonderful Kuranko people and land in the north of the country… along with the best available ‘lingual' and ‘cultural' interpretation.

Last February, Emily blogged about a public hearing of the conflict between the Fula , who are farmers, and the Limba, who are pastoralists:

The conflict between the Fula and the Limba has resulted in a public hearing, which is transpiring in the town square today. I need to amend my last post to say that the ‘truth’ turns out to be somewhere in the middle of the two versions of the ‘story’ I represented. Cows have been killed; this resulted in a Fula rancher killing a Limba boy. No ‘retaliation’ has taken place - yet. The Paramount Chief is in an awkward position, as he is a Limba who is married to a Fula woman. He is one of the two Paramount Chiefs in Kabala (which sits on the border of Sengbeh and Wara-Wara-Yagalah chiefdoms). His inclination was to see if he could wait for things to ‘blow over. This precipitated his initial reaction: that the issue would not be addressed until the taxes have been collected for this region. However, the ‘district officers’ (Freetown governmental representatives) were drawn in, as this is a murder case. Thankfully, due attention is now being given to the situation. IMATT, UN officials and others have come to witness the proceedings, as this has been deemed a ‘regional issue' with many small grievances (and some big ones) being addressed.

With the help of Aaron and a Sierra Leonean man who works for Red Cross, I was able to secure permission from the police to take a few pictures, which I will put on the website as soon as ‘uploading’ pictures is possible. The pavilion is so crowded that it is difficult to get in to see the actual proceedings, but outside the pavilion, crowds are peacefully assembled in the streets and on balconies of nearby houses with huge banners. One pictorially depicts the shooting followed by an X through a cow, with the header “Enough is Enough.” Others read: “Cows, Yes! Uncontrolled Cows, No!!” (again, illustrated – with fences and cows), “Where are the Authorities?” and “Respect my Place.” I am hopeful that all will go well - though there is some volatile ‘talk' in town”

Sandra's Latest is a blog by a community health physician, Sandra, working in Sierra Leone. She writes, among other topics, about her experiences with patients:

My highlight of the week was definitely on Tuesday. I’ll tell you why…

A 42 year old lady showed up at the centre wondering if we could help her. She was born with a cleft lip. It’s a little unusual for me to see an adult patient (other than our staff); this was an exception. Her defect was obvious so there was not much I needed to do in the sense of examination etc. I had to tell her we would not be able to help her at our centre but that we could schedule her for a surgery on the ship in 2008 when the ship comes to Freetown. I don’t think she really understood what I meant initially so I decided to take out some before and after pictures of a little boy who has had surgery on the ship in the past. When she saw the difference in the pictures a big smile appeared on her face. It was as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. She went on to explain that she has 5 children and some grandchildren at that all of them get teased because of her defect. Very sad to hear and it made the moment even more special to realize what an impact a surgery would have on her life; and to think that she has had to walk around in shame for 42 years. I went on to show her a picture of the Africa Mercy and her eyes got even bigger. She was delighted to show her daughter and grandchild the pictures. Explaining to them that she too would receive surgery and her lip would be healed. She didn’t speak English or Krio but a local language. I had someone translate what she was saying. She said ‘I am so happy I could dance for you.’ Next thing we see is her getting up and doing a little dance of joy for us. Oh to see her face a year or so from now after surgery. It’s a privilege to play a small role in someone’s life!

Mel on a Missionis a blog by a physiotherapist also volunteering with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone. She writes about her work:

I have been doing a lot of reading about fistulas – even saw my first surgery the other week (story on the website: http://www.minxproductions.com/mel/?p=154). I have been working with the ladies who come in with footdrop, and have managed to instigate some changes in regards to orthoses that will hopefully make it easier and more comfortable for them, not to mention speed up the process a little. I am also writing a couple of papers of recommendation for rehabilitation work at the fistula centre, but thankfully those documents wont turn out to be as mammoth as the New Steps paper. The ladies are delightful to work with and I have been privileged to be able to attend a few ‘Gladi Gladi’s’, which is a celebration ceremony for those who have recovered from their surgery and are going home, complete with a beautiful new dress and a new start in life. There is lots of singing, followed by dancing around the courtyard. This week was particularly special leading up to Easter as the Sierra Leonean nurses talked about how like the new life the women experience when their fistula is closed, we can be made whole inside and have new life in Jesus. This was followed by the general favourite song here “Tell Papa God Tankie” (tell ‘daddy’ God thankyou).

Sierra Leone is a blog by a real estate consultant from Canada, Paul Fishing, volunteering with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO):

I have accepted a placement in Sierra Leone, a third world developing country located in western Africa. The 6 month job involves assisting and training in the valuation of properties for local assessment and taxation purposes. I expect to be in Sierra Leone from November 2006 to May 2007 and hope I can keep in touch through this blog. I have been impressed with the international development agency Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) who have trained me both in Canada and in the UK

One of his most recent post is about food in Sierra Leone:

It’s comforting to know that people out there are thinking of me. A few have commented that there appears to be a diminishing amount of me. Pictured here is taken last weekend in Freetown with the VSO country director, Chals Wontonwe. Well it is true that my trouser belt is a couple of notches further in but I seem to be able to have a balanced diet although without the added Mars Bar calories. The food markets have a very limited selection of “western food” and there is a complete lack of any Loblaws or Sainsburys type supermarkets. Kelloggs and Cadburys type stuff can be bought in the west of Freetown where most of the international NGO’s have their compounds and the foods are quite expensive. Makeni clearly doesn’t make it; the nearest thing being the PZ petrol filling station that also has a selection of canned tuna, mayonnaise, pasta for the Italian priests, laughing cow cheese and occasionally some jam. In the town there is quite a lot of bread made and sold by the Fullah tribesmen from stalls along the road. They know me now and I try to distribute my trade among them. The staple diet among Saloneans here is rice and no matter how much other food is consumed, people will say that they have not eaten unless rice has been on the plate. More about rice later. Most of the vegetable food is available from stalls in the market and there appears to be a good supply but of very limited variety.

Having adapted now to the local foods my diet has certainly changed and I eat a combination of rice dishes with locally grown vegetables mainly cassava, sweet potato, crin crin including and sometimes solely the leaves. There are no fridges here – no electricity – and the hot climate means that all the food you buy has to be eaten. Groundnuts are locally grown and I have a favourite fellow in the market who will grind the nuts into a paste; much like peanut butter. I favour those dishes that I can cook in ½ hour and over a single kerosene stove ‘cause that’s all I have. So I make cassava leaves mixed with groundnut paste and a good helping of fresh peppers, sweet potatoes etc.

Sierra Leone Blog documents Nataša's Sierra Leone Adventure:

Once again back in the centre of Zimmi, Simpson told me, we have to return to the police office, which we passed, as I was being called. I thought he was making a joke, I didn't hear anything. I didn't notice them calling me. I followed Simpson back some sixty yards. Their office was strategically located, with the good view of the main street. It comprised of a desk with a chair and a table with benches on either side. One was sitting at the desk, another couple of them at the table. They were in the middle of lunch, having some couscous with chicken. By then I was hungry. We greeted and then they asked me to sit down on the bench at their table.
“So, we have seen you around the last couple of days,” one of them started in a serious tone hid position demanded, still finishing his meal.
“You've been snapping all around. Who are you and what is your mission here? You know we had a war here, and we are very near Liberian border,” continued the other one in the same manner the first one embarked on.
I immediately took my formal voice and articulation to explain myself. I used my most proffesional title in introducing myself. It flashed through my mind they could confiscate my pictures in the camera. I explained the best of reasons I had, what I was doing there, also involving my professional interest. I did it without much thought. Simpson was watching the different me. I was not the same person that was dancing around not long ago.
It seemed the policemen were satisfied with my answer, they were just doing their job. I felt nothing unpleasant was going to happen after all. They were respectful and nice, though still very serious. Nevertheless my lighthearted mood was shaken. It was still a small interrogation. I was no longer just a harmless incognito traveller I wanted to be, who was making friends with the local people. I was also a possible spy.

Sweet Sierra Leone is our last blog for today:

Welcome to Sweet Sierra Leone! Here you will find a diverse array of Sierra Leone related topics/commentaries/photos. Everything from music to development and other stuff in between. If you have any questions or topics you would like to see discussed or presented on Sierra Leone let me know and i will do my best to satisfy you. Enjoy. On the copyright tip, unless otherwise indicated most photos on this site were taken by me and belong to me, Share wisely :-)

On Sierra Leonean presidential elections later this year, Sweet Sierra Leone writes “Evidence that SLPP Government will win July 28th Elections“:

In the past 6 months or so five African countries have had elections…Zambia, Congo, Gambia, Senegal, and this past weekend Nigeria. If the results from these elections show anything its that YOU CAN NOT REMOVE A SITTING GOVERNMENT with the electoral process if that government is not ready to relinquish power.

Though many African countries have set up “independent” electoral monitoring boards like the National Electoral Commission in Sierra Leone, managing a free & fair elections still remains a challenge.

Note: SLPP (Sierra Leone Peoples Party) is the ruling party in Sierra Leone.

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