Sierra Leone's 10-year civil war left thousands dead or maimed and the country's infrastructure in ruins. Affairs in the West African country may now be on the road to recovery after a democratic transfer of power.
Ernest Bai Koroma was recently elected president of Sierra Leone with 54 percent of the vote. But in a country that has scarce natural resources and a history of corruption among its officials, it's unclear which is a more befitting response to Koroma's victory: congratulatory applause or condolences.
Koroma is the popular leader of Sierra Leone's largest opposition party, the All People's Congress, which has marketed the charismatic leader as the country's "hope of the future."
High on the agenda will be tackling the nation's reputation for governmental corruption. Koroma calls it one of the "cancers" of his society. In an attempt to repair the image of government in the minds of its people, the new leadership plans to introduce several anti-corruption laws enforced by an Anti-Corruption Commission. All public officials, including the president, will be required to declare all assets — before and after terms of service.
"Nobody will be protected. ... The law will be applied appropriately," Koroma explains.
Also a serious priority: essential resources for citizens of Sierra Leone.
"We will be addressing the restoration of basic utilities — electricity ... and water supply," the new leader says. Poor accessibility to such resources can be tied to the decade-long civil war.
And, Koroma says, he'll turn to the United States to give a "helping hand" in healing his wounded nation. His vision is one of peace and stability.
"I am dreaming of a Sierra Leone that will respect human rights ... and wherein everybody will be devoted to the promotion of law and order," he says.
Web material written and produced by Lee Hill.
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