Prasidentschafts- und Parlamentswahlen in Sierra Leone. Eindrucke einer EU-Wahlbeobachtergruppe in den Distrikten Kailahun, Moyamba und Bonthe, April/Mai 2002

In: Africa Spectrum, Band 37, Heft 2, S. 189-201

Abstract

Briefly describes the dynamic history of Sierra Leone since its independence in 1961 & its peculiarities regarding election laws, & presents the presidential candidates & parties running in the elections of 14 May 2002. Several opposition parties protested the election date of May 14th, declaring that it was too early to hold elections & that they should be held under an interim government in Nov. However, the exit strategy of the UN may have played a role in this & thus, careful election preparations were impossible. The author explains several problems this caused. Election participation & results of the two dominant presidential candidates & their parties are tabulated. Only the future will show whether the assessment of the EU election observers of these presidential & parliamentary elections as the most free & fair elections since the country's history will be the first steps toward democracy in Sierra Leone. E. Sanchez