Structures and Issues in the Western Area

Monday November 17th

Mr. Anaque from Kwama came today and we spent two hours discussing the situation in that peripheral section of the Western Area (The Western Area is the former colony of Sierra Leone, encompassing the city of Freetown and the area east of it to the border with the Northern and Southern Provinces which during colonial days were known as the protectorate.) The concerns we addressed were children, their protection and education, religious shrines and their place and power in traditional society, land issues due to privatization initiatives in the provinces, strategic removal of traditional chiefs for political purposes, desecration of sacred bush, and finally the need for a process or educational program that can supplement the formation of young people to be responsible and respect society. Each one of these issues, if not addressed in a timely manner and with care, could be the spark to set a fire storm of conflict anew.

In the afternoon I was to meet with a staff person from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission at our residence here in Kissy Dockyard. He did not show, so I used the time to confirm my contacts for the rest of my stay in this area.