[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE CRISIS IN SIERRA LEONE

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to light recent 
events in Sierra Leone. This has been a challenging year for democracy 
on the African Continent, and no where has it been more seriously 
challenged than in this West African nation. On May 25, 1997, mutinous 
soldiers overthrew the democratically-elected government of President 
Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. Lawlessness reigns throughout the country, as jail 
doors throughout Sierra Leone have been thrown wide, and judges and 
lawyers who once worked to ensure the rule of law have been forced to 
flee the country for their lives.
  Ironically, it was only a year and a half ago that Sierra Leone held 
its first multiparty elections in 30 years, resulting in the transfer 
of power from the military to the civilian government of President 
Kabbah. With the conclusion of Sierra Leone's 5-year civil war last 
November, Sierra Leone was hailed by many in Africa and the West as a 
model for other African nations. The bloody military coup d'etat that 
ousted President Kabbah almost 4 months ago is not only an affront to 
the expressed will of the people of Sierra Leone, but is a direct 
challenge to the cause of democracy in Africa. I strongly condemn this 
deplorable action, and call upon the military to return power to the 
democratically-elected government.
  Now, as a result of the spring coup, the Sierra Leone is largely 
isolated from the world. Foreign embassies have closed their doors. 
Foreign aid has been suspended. There is virtually no humanitarian 
assistance to speak of left in Sierra Leone. Every day that the 
military junta remains in power more men, women and children needlessly 
fall victim to senseless violence.
  Meanwhile, the military junta continues its rapacious looting of the 
country, oblivious to the dire consequences of its actions. Freetown, 
the capital city, without electricity, sits in darkness. Schools are 
closed. Most doctors have fled the country and hospitals have been 
looted. Those who have not already fled the country face both a 
dwindling food supply and the military leaders' seemingly abject 
disregard for human life.
  Mr. President, Sierra Leone's West African neighbors have 
courageously taken the lead in responding to this humanitarian crisis. 
Upon the outbreak of the coup, regional leaders quickly condemned the 
coup and imposed regional sanctions. At a recent meeting of West 
African heads of state those who called for the use of force to end the 
standoff were resisted, and it was resolved to strengthen the sanctions 
regime already in place.
  I strongly commend this decision. Although attempts at negotiation 
with the junta in July were unsuccessful, I strongly believe that the 
successful road to peace and stability in Sierra Leone leads to the 
negotiating table instead of the battlefield. Sanctions must be given 
more time to pressure the military junta to give up its quixotic lust 
for power.
  While the United States was among the first to condemn the coup, I 
urge our Government to continue to seek every opportunity to publicly 
support democracy in Sierra Leone. Those who would subvert the will of 
the people in Sierra Leone should have no illusion about the United 
States position.
  The United Nations has already added its voice to international 
condemnation of the military junta in Freetown. Moreover, the 
Secretary-General has just appointed a special envoy to Sierra Leone in 
an attempt to resolve the crisis. I applaud these efforts. I urge the 
administration to use its influence at the United Nations to initiate a 
multilateral effort to severely restrict the military junta's ability 
to purchase arms and fuel. At the same time, I believe it is necessary 
to try to find a way to address the humanitarian needs of the innocent.
  Mr. President, these are very troubled days for democracy in Africa. 
Although democracy is beginning to blossom in other parts of the world 
since the end of the cold war, it has yet to firmly take root in the 
fertile soil of many African nations.
  Mr. President, as the rest of the world moves toward integration into 
the global economy, embracing democracy and liberal economic 
principles, we must not leave Africa behind. It is imperative that we 
who have fought for our own freedom, and who enjoy the fruits that 
democracy offer, continue to support others in their fight for the 
same. I thank the chair and yield the floor.

                          ____________________