The News Review:

- Civil Society Organisations raise concern on Sierra Leone’s …
- Myths and Realities About Privatization in Sierra Leone
- SIERRA LEONE: Activists Cry Foul Over Mining Policy
- Sierra Leone: Democracy Hand in Glove With Ethnicity And Regionalism
- Awareness Times News Briefs from Sierra Leone

Civil Society Organisations raise concern on Sierra Leone’s …
Cocorioko, Sierra Leone 
has increasingly become a serious and major threat to the consolidation of peace and stability. READ THE FULL RELEASE :CSM-SL PRESS RELEASE Civil Society Organisations raise concern on Sierra Leone’s Democratic Situation. In 1995 when well-meaning Sierra Leoneans embarked on the journey to peace through the co-ordinated effort of Civil Society in Sierra Leone, in the Bintumani 1&2 Conferences, we knew it was going to be stormy and challenging, but remained very hopeful that with commitment and forth-rightness on the part of all stake holders, especially the politicians, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Since then, as a country, we have gone through several periods and moments of turbulence, notably, May 25, 1997, January 6, 1999, and May 8, of 2000. We have at the same time, with the support of the international community, managed a series of general and local council elections – conducted relatively peacefully and freely – and witnessed some smooth political transitions. These should constitute the road map, the bedrock, for national growth and development. As Sierra Leoneans, we should have learnt from the bitter lessons of the ten-year rebel war and, in particular, the horrendous experiences of the specific aforementioned periods.

Myths and Realities About Privatization in Sierra Leone
Standard Times Press, Sierra Leone 
Privatizing the state-owned companies as one of the processes of SAP was a plan raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the early 1990s at the international level and the then Military government of the Capt. Strasser decided to implement the plan along side the countrys development agenda. By way of following through the erstwhile government established the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) in 2002 by an Act of Parliament. This commission is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the smooth transfer of ownership of public companies from government control to privately own. The National Commission for Privatization (NCP) Sierra Leone; is a corporate body established to serve as the policy and decision-making organ with regards to the divestiture and reform of public enterprises; to transfer the management of all public enterprises to the Commission, and remove the interference in the management of public enterprises from line Ministries, thereby ensuring transparency, corporate governance and avoidance of conflict of interest in the affairs of public enterprises. There are 24 listed enterprises, which are categorized into nine (9) groups with plans of action for each group, including the time schedules for the completion of each of the planned transactions.

SIERRA LEONE: Activists Cry Foul Over Mining Policy
IPS, Italy 
"It also calls for suspension of further negotiations of mining agreements until the task force's review has been completed and published. It is not clear when the review of mining policies will be completed, but the coalition says sufficient time should be allowed and a specific channel be set up for soliciting contributions from civil society and residents of mining communities. The key minerals mined in Sierra Leone are diamond, gold, rutile or titanium oxide and bauxite. The agreements signed with transnational mining companies have often proved unfavourable to the government and people, with the state often accused by activists of colluding with the mining companies. According to Mboka, the main rutile mining company in the south, Sierra Rutile, bagged an exclusive deal with the government in 2003, that grants the company a tax holiday till 2014. This exemption from a range of tax obligations, according to the activist, was only discovered via a leaked memo. Officials of the Mineral Resources ministry have declined to comment on the issue.

Sierra Leone: Democracy Hand in Glove With Ethnicity And Regionalism
AllAfrica.com, Washington 
The voter turnout was low but according to election observers, the process itself was relatively peaceful though with petty skirmishes in certain parts of the country. This is what one of our local newspapers reported: “Election Observers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended Sierra Leoneans for their patience, tolerance and determination exhibited in the just concluded local council elections. “This is a testimony towards the deepening of democratic culture in the country and a clear signal that Sierra Leone is a good example of the promotion and consolidation of credible electoral process in the ECOWAS sub-region,” Ambassador J. Lewu, head of the nine men Observer Mission said.

Awareness Times News Briefs from Sierra Leone
Awareness Times, Sierra Leone 
Wilson is said to have disclosed that this situation does not warrant ant cause for alarm as there is enough water at the dam to provide for the city. The General Manager noted that to see bright sunny weather at this time, is not what this country use to know of a typical August month, adding that the country did not experience much rains this year as compared to previous years. Windfall For Underprivileged HomesTwo underprivileged homes, EL-Shaddai Childrens Ministries and Kids Action Sierra Leone are said to have benefited from food and educational materials donation made by the Regional Manager, New Apostolic Church Mission Aid-Sierra Leone, Fritz Rohrer. According to reports, the items worth Le. 18 Million was a donation aimed at helping the separated and deprived children in the two homes. Reports say plans are well advanced by the mission to continue to assist deprived children and homes in the country. Reparation Programme CommencedThe nineteen member National Reparations Committee is said to have started the implementation of the reparations programme recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.