Civil War Violence in Sierra Leone: Was It All about the Diamonds?

• In Event: Shaping Conflict Narratives: Global Perspectives

Abstract

The Sierra Leone civil war (1991-2002) has long been associated with the presence of 'conflict diamonds' in the country, but the diamonds are not equally distributed across the country. Using micro-level data, this paper explores whether there were substantially different forms of violence in areas closest to the diamond mines compared to those areas where diamonds were not present. Using logistical regression, support is found for the argument that violence against civilians increases in diamond-producing areas and decreases in areas where there are no diamonds. Conversely, military engagements increase in areas where diamonds are not present and decrease in diamond-producing areas.

Author

• Emma Leonard Boyle