Sierra Leone: Treatment by the current government of members of the Mende tribe (1998 - September 1999)

For information on Mende membership in the "kamajors" of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF), which support the current government of President Kabbah (HRW June 1999; Africa Research Bulletin July 1998, 13191; The Progress 30 Apr. 1999; International Herald Tribune18 Dec. 1998), please consult SLE32530.E of 5 August 1999 and SLE29357.E of 22 May 1998.

During a 10 September 1999 telephone interview the Human Rights Watch representative in Freetown, stated that while members of the kamajors are drawn largely from the Mende tribe, members of this tribe are also present in the rebel forces in large numbers. She stated that rebels will often take severe actions against persons if they appear to be sympathetic to, or aiding, the kamajors, but that these actions are not a result of the persons being Mende but because of their perceived associated with the militia group. Similarly, military forces supporting the current government have taken similar severe actions against persons suspected of involvement with rebel forces but, again, this is not a result of the person's tribal affiliation but because of their perceived association with the rebel forces.

In regard to the current government's treatment of members of the Mende tribe, the HRW representative stated that there is "absolutely no problem from the government." She pointed out that both the president and vice-president are half Mende and that the vice-minister of defence is also a member of this tribe. She stated that when she interviews persons who have suffered ill-treatment at the hands of forces involved in the civil war, she typically asks if tribal affiliation is a factor in that ill-treatment. She is convinced that tribal affiliation is not a factor. She stated that the war in Sierra Leone is "not a tribal war." She allowed that within the civil service there may be some nepotism involved whereby ministries headed by a person from one tribal group will show preferential hiring practices to persons of their own tribe. However, this would be the limits of the tribal discrimination that she is aware of.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. July 1998. Vol. 35, No. 7. "Bleak Future for Kamajors."

Human Rights Watch (HRW) (Freetown). 10 September 1999. Telephone interview with representative.

_____. June 1999. Getting Away With Murder, Mutilation, and Rape: New Testimony From Sierra Leone. New York: Human Rights Watch.

International Herald Tribune [Neuilly-sur-Seine, France]. 18 December 1998. James Rupert. "As Peacekeepers Bog Down, Sierra Leone Rebels Step up Fight." (NEXIS)

The Progress [Freetown]. 30 April 1999. "Sierra Leone; Dozens Killed as Rebels Repulsed Attack on Mining Town." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential. [London]. June 1998 - July 1999.

Interaction, American Council for Voluntary International Action. Website.

Refugees International. Website.

Resource Centre. Sierre Leone country file. February - August 1999.

_____. Sierra Leone: Amnesty International country file. January - December 1998.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).

One non-documentary sources contacted could not provide information on the requested subject.