Political situation Intended reforms only possible with international support

Despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Julius Maada Bio has been trying to continue with his ambitious government programme. Key projects include free universal education and healthcare, combating corruption, creating jobs, promoting private investment, reforming land rights and promoting gender equality. Small advances have been made, but overall the reforms are proceeding slowly and so far they have not brought sufficient improvements for the population.

The government’s future development goals are summed up in the Medium Term National Development Plan 2024–2030; the central elements of the Plan are food security, employment and investing in people.

Hurdles to the country’s development include widespread corruption, low education levels and the extremely challenging financial and economic situation. In order to be able to implement its reform programme, the government of Sierra Leone is reliant on extensive external support. Government revenue is not sufficient to meet the basic needs of the population.

Within the bounds of its limited scope as a country of around 8.6 million, Sierra Leone has an active foreign policy. Since January 2024, the country has had a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which it will hold for two years. Sierra Leone supports efforts towards regional integration in Africa, represents Africa’s interests within the United Nations (UN), and engages in conflict prevention and peacekeeping activities. The government is concerned by the increasing religious fanaticism and terrorism emerging in West Africa. Sierra Leone is committed to promoting the peaceful coexistence of different religions.

Human rights

The human rights situation in Sierra Leone is increasingly unsatisfactory. There are deficits with regard to freedom of opinion, freedom of assembly and media freedom, and also when it comes to protection against arbitrary actions by the state, and protecting the rights of women, children and minorities. The 2023 World Press Freedom Index compiled by the non-governmental organisation Reporters Without Borders ranked Sierra Leone in 74th place out of 180 countries evaluated. Just one year earlier it had been in 46th place.

Positive developments in terms of human rights are the abolition of the criminal libel law, which restricted press freedom, and the ending of the ban on pregnant girls attending school. In July 2021, the parliament also passed a unanimous vote to abolish the death penalty.

There are, however, still major deficiencies in the area of women’s rights. Many women and girls in Sierra Leone are still subject to female genital mutilation, and domestic violence – primarily against female household members – is widespread. The constitution explicitly allows violations of the non-discrimination principle based on religion or customary law. One positive development is the adoption in August 2022 of the Customary Land Rights Act, which is meant to strengthen the ownership rights of women and girls. Until now, they were de facto excluded from inheriting.

In addition, violence against the LGBTIQ+ community is an ongoing problem. Organised civil society is mainly to be found in larger cities. There, it plays an active political role. In rural regions, traditional authorities are the most important decision-makers.