Sierra Leone: A Political History

Sierra Leone gained global attention in the 1990s due to a civil war linked to the diamond trade, but the country's complex history and post-war challenges were overlooked. The book explores over 230 years of Sierra Leone's history, focusing on state-society relations and the responses to those who have tried to rule or change the country. It offers a unique perspective on Sierra Leone and its place in Africa.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

Sierra Leone garnered global attention in the 1990s due to a catastrophic civil war linked to the diamond trade. While this fleeting interest focused on the civil war, it obscured two crucial processes within the small West African state. Firstly, the war was a significant and brutal event that affected all Sierra Leoneans, but it was merely one component in the long and challenging endeavor to establish a nation and state, considering the country's complex pre-colonial and British colonial legacies. Secondly, the aftermath of the war witnessed a massive international effort to construct a 'liberal peace,' with mixed results, and interrupted by the devastating Ebola pandemic. This made Sierra Leone a laboratory for both post-conflict and health crisis interventions.

Sierra Leone delves into over 230 years of its history and sixty years of independence, placing state-society relations at the center of an original and insightful examination of those who have attempted to rule or change Sierra Leone and its inhabitants, as well as the responses that have ensued. It intertwines the historical narrative with sketches of politicians, anecdotes, the landscape, and environment, alongside theoretical and other comparisons with the rest of Africa. This book offers a fresh contribution to the debate for those familiar with Sierra Leone and serves as a solid point of entry for those interested in learning more about this fascinating country.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 142 x 218 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787384125