1991 was when the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) invaded Kono, the diamond capital of Sierra Leone. War broke out between the RUF and The National Provisional Ruling Council (N.P.R.C.) who was trying to regain democratic control and restore stability. By 1999 the violence caused by the RUF only increased, and they held control of the diamond mines in Kono and Tongo Field. A man named Charles Taylor was the head force of the RUF and immersed himself along with the RUF in illegal diamond trade, using the funds from the diamonds to buy arms in order to strengthen the rebels. Half of Sierra Leone’s people were displaced while millions were slaughtered. Nothing was done about this war, this conflict until 2001, TEN YEARS after it all started. Only then did the UN begin to respond to the conflict in the region.
Ten years?!?! It took ten years for someone to intervene. Ten years of slaughter, torture, people being forced from their homes; half the population was displaced!! And no one in the UN thought it was important enough to step in? That is just appalling. And I use the term intervene loosely. The sanctions that were imposed by the UN were easily violated and difficult to enforce, according to Worldpress.org. Sanctions were all that were brought about by the UN until 2002 when real live forces were actually, and finally sent into the region. I guess the lives of people being taken and blood being shed for control of diamond mines and illegal diamond trade wasn’t reason enough to intervene in the conflict war….. Absolutely atrocious.
Resource: http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/2193.cfm
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