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Sierra Leone
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FactsBackground: Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption. note: data are in 2010 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.901 billion (2010 est.); GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (2010 est.); 4.4% (2009 est.); 5.5% (2008 est.); GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2010 est.); $900 (2009 est.); $900 (2008 est.); note: data are in 2010 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49%; industry: 31%; services: 21% (2005 est.); Population below poverty line: 70.2% (2004); Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6%; highest 10%: 33.6% (2003); Labor force: 2.207 million (2007 est.); Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA%; industry: NA%; services: NA%; Unemployment rate: NA%; Budget: revenues: $96 million; expenditures: $351 million (2000 est.); Industries: diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair; Industrial production growth rate: NA%; Electricity - production: 80 million kWh (2007 est.); Electricity - consumption: 74.4 million kWh (2007 est.); Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.); Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.); Statistics: CIA World Factbook. PressCocorioko(Independent, published in Somerset, NJ), Expo Times Patriotic Vanguard, The(Independent, published in Vancouver, Canada), Sierra Express Media(Independent), Freetown Sierra Leone Telegraph(Published in U.K.), Sierra Leone in the NewsDisplaying 1 to 4 of 70 items. Sierra Leone: Challenge to Constitutional ReviewOne of the issues being debated in Sierra Leone, as the country undergoes a constitutional review, is whether to keep in place presidential term limits. Progress in Sierra Leone, but Not for the YouthPresident Koroma has improved electricity supply, healthcare and roads in Sierra Leone, but the country's young people have not received the education or opportunities they need. Women's Struggle in Sierra LeoneThe struggle for equal opportunities for women in all aspects of Sierra Leone's socio-economic life is as crucial for our country's future as it is for women. Living in Chains: Sierra Leone's Mentally IllThe only psychiatric hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is in deplorable condition and needs resources to make significant improvements. |
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