Sierra Leone (country)

D

Currency and Foreign Trade

The unit of currency is the leone (2,962 leones equal U.S.$1; 2006 average), issued by the Bank of Sierra Leone, which was founded in 1964. In 2002 exports were valued at $41 million, and imports totaled $352 million. Minerals, particularly diamonds, provided much of the country’s export earnings. The remainder was provided by agricultural commodities such as coffee and cocoa. The major imports were mineral fuels, machinery, vehicles, and foodstuffs. Chief trading partners for exports are Belgium, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan; leading sources for imports are the United Kingdom, Netherlands, the United States, Germany, and Côte d’Ivoire.

E

Transportation and Communications

Sierra Leone’s rail system has been almost entirely closed down in favor of an expanded network of 11,300 km (7,021 mi) of roads. Only about 8 percent (2002) of this total is paved. Inland waterways, most of them navigable for three months of the year, total 800 km (500 mi). Freetown, Pepel, and Bonthe are the chief ports. The country has a well-developed internal air transport network; international service is provided by several foreign lines. Lungi, near Freetown, is the site of an international airport. The government-operated radio broadcasting system, based in Freetown, broadcasts in English, Krio, Mende, Limba, and Temne. A government-owned television station was established in Freetown in 1963. The country’s principal newspaper is the Daily Mail, published in Freetown.

V

Government

Sierra Leone is governed under a 1991 constitution that provides for a multiparty democratic system and human rights guarantees. A president is both head of state and head of government. The president is popularly elected to a five-year term and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Legislative authority rests with the single-chamber Parliament, which has 112 members elected by popular vote and 12 paramount chiefs chosen by district tribal councils. Members of Parliament serve five-year terms. The constitution was suspended from 1992 to 1996 and from mid-1997 to early 1998 following military coups.

A

Judiciary

The judicial system includes the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, magistrates’ courts, and local courts. Magistrates’ courts have jurisdiction in civil cases, and local courts decide cases involving traditional law and customs. Appeals are made to the court of appeal and ultimately to the Supreme Court.

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B

Local Government

Sierra Leone is divided into four regions: the Northern, Eastern, and Southern provinces and the Western Area. These are divided into districts, each having a resident minister. The districts are subdivided into chiefdoms, each controlled by a paramount chief and a council of elders, who are responsible for maintaining law and order and administering justice.

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