Sierrleone : diamonds and the civil war (1991-2002)‎

Abstract EN

The overall objective of this article is mainly to briefly show the extent to which natural resources can have a key role in fueling violent conflicts in Africa through the provision of financial funds for rebels to buy weapons, ammunition, and other necessary equipment for fighting; and thus contribute to the prolongation of suffering of innocent citizens in the conflict zones.

Specific emphasis has been put on the crucial role played by diamonds in fuelling the long savage Sierra Leone civil war during which the Revolutionary United Front(RUF) rebels committed horrendous abuses.

The article also shows the role of external actors in the Sierra Leone civil war.