Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE – The African country of Sierra Leone has been riddled by the effects of a civil war that began 13 years ago. Tens of thousands have died, and more than a third of the country’s nearly six million people have been displaced as refugees.

Elections in 2002 may have signaled the end of widespread turmoil in Sierra Leone, but leaders there have much to do to rebuild their war-torn country. Alie B. Sheriff, a regional African leader, will come to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Tuesday, May 4 to help raise awareness about ongoing problems in his country.

Many people flocked to the capital city of Freetown for safety during the war; unemployment now cripples it. Marauders have looted much of the country’s natural resources, and the literacy rate remains abysmal at 15 percent. The life expectancy for the average Sierra Leone man is 40 years, 45 years for women.

These are just some of the things Sheriff may mention during the public forum at 7 p.m. in the Velzy Room North of the Ullsvik Center. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. Sheriff will also visit some classrooms and talk to UWP students during the day.

The 21st Century African Youth Movement is sponsoring the event. Founder Askia Koroma, a Sierra Leone-native, will accompany Sheriff on his UWP visit. Koroma fled the country in the early 90s to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he later enlisted help to start the humanitarian agency to help his country.

Sierra Leone is on the western bank of Africa, north of Liberia. The government of the country is divided into provinces, which include several districts, comprised of a number of chiefdoms. In 2002, Sheriff was elected to the title of Paramount Chief of the Jong chiefdom, headquartered in Mattru in the southern province of the country.