Source: (2008) Luc Huyse and Mark Salter, eds, Traditional Justice and Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: Learning from African Experiences. Stockholm: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. PP.123-146.
Sierra Leone’s civil conflict had been characterized by unspeakable brutality. International
war crimes of the worst type were routinely and systematically committed against Sierra
Leoneans of all ages and the suffering inflicted upon the civilian population was profound.
While all sides committed human rights violations, the rebel forces were responsible for
the overwhelming majority of them. It is also significant that Sierra Leoneans had suffered
a great deal of structural violence prior to the start of the civil conflict in 1991. Given
these stark realities, the end of the war posed new challenges, the most immediate being
the question of whether to punish those
who had brought mayhem on the people,
or to forgive them. (excerpt)
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