Supporting Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone

Search for Common Ground-Sierra Leone (SFCG-SL) has played an integral role in Sierra Leone's transition to peace by facilitating dialogue about the country's two primary initiatives aimed at achieving justice and reconciliation. By broadcasting twice-weekly radio updates about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court in English and the regional languages, SFCG-SL is helping to create an environment where reconciliation can truly occur.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established in Sierra Leone as a forum for developing an impartial history of the conflict. Modeled on a similar program in South Africa, the TRC invites representatives from all elements of society to testify about their experiences during the war. In addition, the UN created the Special Court to prosecute war crimes.

Because both the TRC and Special Court are located in Freetown, many of Sierra Leone's citizens were uniformed about these processes and therefore unable to participate in them. In response to this issue, Talking Drum Studios began broadcasting twice-weekly features on the Common Ground News and Features radio program that described the proceedings of the TRC and Special Court and explained to listeners the rational behind their creation. This initiative helped to increase public debate about Sierra Leone's peace process, as citizens were able to make informed decisions about the successes and challenges that the country faces in the post-conflict era. After the TRC held its final hearing in September, SFCG-SL produced three 15-minute segments that were aired across the country and summarized the commission's major events.

SFCG-SL representatives also testified before the TRC about the media's role during the conflict. SFCG's unique understanding of how the media can both abet conflict and, as with SFCG-SL's work, contribute towards its cessation, enabled the organization to engage the public discussion surrounding reconciliation process.

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