Content provided in partnership with
Manufacturing Industry
The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies sends a mobile education team to Sierra Leone
DISAM Journal, Spring, 2003 by Felipe Captain Paez
The Republic of Sierra Leone currently faces tremendous rebuilding and reconciliation challenges after more than ten years of bloody civil strife. Given present plans for drawing down what is still the world's largest United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping mission, the future stability of the country rests on civilian and military leaders' ability to reestablish mutual trust. This process will not take place overnight, and cannot proceed in a vacuum. In Sierra Leone it is respect for the rule of law alone that can provide credible structure and substance to this tenuous rebuilding process. It is for this reason that U.S. Ambassador Peter Chaveas and Defense Attache Lieutenant Colonel William Godbout, USA, requested that the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) perform an assessment and follow-on training designed not only to inform, but also to provide a rare and timely forum for the breaking of barriers between civilian and military sectors. Security assistance in this case would take the sha pe of educating civilians and military together about civil military relations and disciplined military operations under the rule of law. These efforts, in concert with the establishment of Sierra Leone's hybrid Special Court, will reestablish a context of accountability, respect for the rule of law, and respect for human rights upon which Sierra Leone can reconcile its past and build for the future.
- Most Popular Articles in News
- The Ten Best Laptop bags
- Tata plans cheapest-ever car for Indian market
- GLOBALIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF THE THIRD WORLD
- Corn is good for you; Corn is not only a tasty treat, but also a cereal that ...
- THE 50 BEST STYLISH HANDBAGS TO CARRY
- More »
During an assessment visit in March of 2002, DIILS helped the U.S. Embassy formulate an action plan, which included two legal training evolutions in Sierra Leone during 2003. The first evolution was designed as a seminar focusing on joint training for Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and civilian leaders on the role of the military in a democracy, including civilian control of the military, military justice, and domestic operations. The second training evolution was a customized train the trainer package focusing on training junior military officers from units around Sierra Leone as instructors in Disciplined Military Operations and Law of Armed Conflict. This two-step plan ensured that information was understood at high levels and then effectively disseminated throughout the country.
Both training evolutions took place as scheduled during 24-28 February and 3-5 March of 2003. All training was organized with the help of the British members of the RSLAF Joint Command and Sierra Leone's Ministry of Defense, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy. The first week the DIILS team was led by Brigadier General Richard O'Meara, USA(ret.), and included Colonel Richard A.B. Price, USAF (DIILS director), Lieutenant. Colonel Steven A. Folsom, USMC, and Captain Felipe Paez, USMC. The seminar was entitled "Legal Aspects of the Military in a 21st Century Society," and was graciously opened by the Vice President of Sierra Leone, the Honorable Solomon Berewa. Members of the official party also included the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, the RSLAF Chief of Defense Staff, and Ambassador Chaveas, who participated throughout the week of training. Attendees included parliamentarians (including a former Ambassador to the U.N. and U.S), four general officers, other senior military officers including B ritish military members of the RSLAF, members of non-government organizations, representatives of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, and individuals from the offices of the Ministry of Defense, the Director-General, the Solicitor General, and the National Security Advisor.
A special highlight ensuring utmost relevancy for the week's training was the arrangement for Mr. David Crane, the Special Prosecutor for the Special Court of Sierra Leone to take part as a guest speaker. This was the Special Prosecutor's first opportunity to speak to an assembled group comprised of senior military officers and senior civilian officials. The opportunity was taken to answer questions and clarify the U.N.'s mandate to help Sierra Leone prosecute the most serious war criminals from the recent conflict.
After the departure of Brigadier General O'Meara and Colonel Price, Lieutenant Colonel Folsom and Captain Paez were joined by Major George Cadwalader, USMC, senior instructor at the U.S. Naval Justice School. The second week of Train the Trainer in Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) instruction then took place under simulated field conditions at Cockerill Barracks in Freetown. Participants ranged from Warrant Officers to Majors, and came from units across Sierra Leone. The DILLS team utilized military mission briefing techniques familiar to all participants in an effort to incorporate LOAC training into every day training for future students. Techniques utilized included flip chart briefing, terrain model briefing, and most effectively, lane role-play training. The lane training proved to be the most useful in involving participants and was clearly the most appropriate for future use by the student instructors considering the high illiteracy rate within the RSLAF.
