Sierra Leone: Presence of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Freetown in 1997, including an attack on a detention camp
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 24 January 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SLE40922.E |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sierra Leone: Presence of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Freetown in 1997, including an attack on a detention camp, 24 January 2003, SLE40922.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e18e.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to sources consulted, Major Johnny Paul Koroma, with support from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), seized power in Sierra Leone on 25 May 1997, deposing the democratically elected President, Ahmed Tajan Kabbah (Africa Confidential 6 June 1997; Europa 1997 1997, 2881; Keesing's 1997, 41672; ARB 23 June 1997, 12695). Major Koroma then created a 20-member Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), naming himself Chairman and RUF leader Foday Sankoh as Vice-Chairman (Europa 1997 1997, 2881). The RUF remained in Freetown until February 1998 when ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) forces ousted them along with the AFRC (SLW 21 Jan. 2003; Africa Confidential 6 Mar. 1998). For additional information on the RUF's presence in Freetown in 1997, including examples of atrocities the organization committed against students and civilians, as well as its activities elsewhere in the country, please consult U.S. Department of State's Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1997.
Specific reference to an attack of a detention camp in Freetown by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in 1997 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, one source claims that, on 25 May 1997, "coup leaders freed hundreds of prisoners from Pademba Road prison and gave them military uniforms and weapons. Freed prisoners, AFRC troops, and RUF forces engaged in looting, rape, and murder. Foreign countries evacuated several thousand foreign citizens and tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled Freetown" (Country Reports 1997, 30 Jan. 1998).
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.
References
Africa Confidential. 6 March 1998. Vol. 39, No. 5. "Freetown Fracas." _____. 6 June 1997. Vol. 38, No. 12. "Koroma's Coup." Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series (ARB) [Oxford]. 23 June 1997. Vol. 34, No. 5. "Military Coup."
Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1997. 30 January 1998. U.S. Department of State. Washington, DC. The Europa World Year Book 1997. 1997. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1997. Vol. 43, No. 6. "Sierra Leone: Chaotic Aftermath of Military Coup."
Sierra Leone Web (SLW). 21 January 2003. Correspondence with editor.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
NEXIS
Internet sites, including:
Africa Online
AllAfrica.com
Amnesty International (AI)
BBC Africa
Campaign for Good Governance
Global IDP
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
International Christian Concern (ICC)
International Crisis Group (ICG)
International Regional Information Network (IRIN)
Relief Web
Save the Children (International)
Sierra Leone Web
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
U.S. Committee for Refugees (USCR)
World News Connection (WNC)
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