Professor Mike Lohre
English 1109
15 October 2019
Diamonds In Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, diamonds from the war were called Blood Diamonds. Civilians used them for many benefits, but it was done illegally. They would sell or trade them for weapons, and anything that would help them get through The Civil War. The RUF Rebels needed the diamonds to access their power. “(Pariona, Ameber. “Civil War In Sierra Leone And The Role Of Blood Diamonds”.” WorldAtlas, Apr. 25, 2017) It has been argued that controlling the diamond mines, rather than overthrowing the corrupt government, was the real reason behind the decade-long war. Whether or not this is true will likely remain a mystery. What is certain, however, is that the rebel groups would not have been able to gain power without access to the blood diamonds.”
The diamonds were easily found near water, like river beds and banks. To obtain them, you would use your hands or a shovel. Many families were evicted out of their homes for blood diamonds. The reason for many civilians to be homeless, was to expand the diamond mine.
Therefore, they were promised a place to live. “Those who were rehoused soon discovered the company’s promises of modern houses, running water, schools, clinics and recreation grounds were not materialising once the mine was established. The hundreds of millions of dollars generated by the extraction of diamonds continue to leave Koidu, and the country, without benefitting anyone in the community.” (“Blood Diamonds and Land Corruption” Aug . 2 2019) I find it really shocking in times of despair, that they would remove people from their homes, their safe place.
Sifting though the gravel to find diamonds.
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/civil-war-in-sierra-leone-the-role-of-sierra-leone-s-blood-diamonds.html
https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/blood_diamonds_and_land_corruption
I thought it was really interesting on the background of the blood diamonds. I don't know what would work better to control the mines or to fix the government, that's a hard decision.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe civilians became homeless because they needed to expand the diamond mines. I understand the fact that they needed to get supplies in order for them to survive the civil war but its upsetting that these people lost their homes.
ReplyDelete