Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Sustaining Peace in Sierra Leone Through Collaboration of the Dominant Ethnic Groups Osman Kabba Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Administration Commons, and the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Osman Kabba has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Gabriel Telleria, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Mary Bruce, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Morris Bidjerano, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Sustaining Peace in Sierra Leone Through Collaboration of the Dominant Ethnic Groups by Osman I. Kabba MA, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD (1997) BS, University of La Verne, La Verve CA (1991) Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University February 2018 Abstract There is convincing evidence in the literature that the civil war fought in Sierra Leone beginning in 1991 was the result of social and political grievances between the 3 dominant ethnic groups, Krio, Mende, and Temne. Hitherto, there were no studies which explored their collaboration on postconflict sustainable peacebuilding efforts. By closely examining the political behaviors of these groups, this qualitative expert study was designed to create understanding of how collaboration between them supported postconflict sustainable peace-building efforts. Data consisted of observational notes and semistructured interviews of 21 Sierra Leonean experts living in the United States. Data were analyzed using the method of content analysis and cross-verified through the process of data source triangulation. Results indicate the 3 dominant groups have divergent political ideologies, views, practices, and participations. However, it was also found they have convergent national interest in supporting sustainable peacebuilding in Sierra Leone. The results may change how sustainable peace-building initiatives are conceptualized through ethnic group collaboration. The contention of this study is that the nexus between development and security in a nation emerging from conflict is ethnic group cooperation. Hence, implications for social change are linked to opening new channels for discourse between dominant ethnic groups in a conflict-prone nation to avoid future conflicts. Therefore, knowledge from this study may be useful for governments, policy makers, the United Nations, and the international community at large because their actions may run parallel to ethnic group dynamics. Sustaining Peace in Sierra Leone Through Collaboration of the Dominant Ethnic Groups by Osman I. Kabba MA, Bowie State University, 1997 BS, University of La Verne, 1991 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University February 2018 Dedication Indeed, all praises are due to the Almighty God alone whose blessings and guidance I sought in this pursuit and continue to seek for all my life’s endeavors. Without His blessings, mercy and intervention, this work would not have been possible. This study is dedicated to all the victims of the brutal Sierra Leonean conflict of 1991, including but not limited to the thousands who perished, the amputees whose lives have been significantly impacted, and the youth who were exploited as child soldiers. This study is also dedicated to the memory of my dearly departed parents, Ibrahim Sorie Kabba and Haja Mariam J. Kabba whose exceptional parenting, nurturing and care, laid the foundation upon which my aspirations to become an agent of social change was built. For from God they came, to Him they returned. I asked the Almighty God to have mercy on them. During this inquiry, I accrued many debts for which I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge them and show my gratitude to all those who contributed directly or indirectly to the success of this inquiry. First, I thank Dr. Gabriel Telleria, my committee supervisor for his untiring and relentless efforts in shaping this dissertation into an academic inquiry and for inspiring me to search deeper into my own intellect for my scholarly voice. Thank you, Dr. T., I am forever indebted to you. Special thanks to my committee member Dr. Mary D. Bruce and the University Research Reviewer (URR), Dr. Bidjerano, for making this a quality product. Thanks to all my children for putting up with my mood swings during this journey. I particularly single out Abdul and Omar, my twin boys, Mariam, Idris, Jahlahan and Ibrahim who saw me through my ups and downs as I struggled with the multiple revisions. Your unspoken encouragement kept my hope alive. Thank you.My deepest gratitude to all my co-workers at the New Jersey State Department of Children and Families. Your encouragement in the face of countless disappointments kept me going. Thank you, Paola Marquez, for your invaluable technical assistance with the graphics, tables and figures, and the overall form and style of this work. To my Manager, Karen Powell, thank you for your leadership, and your encouragement, and for not giving up on me, when it seemed that I may never complete this work. Whatever its shortcomings, this dissertation is better than it would have been due to the support of many people who contributed to the success of this work. To Howard University Professor, Dr. Abdul Karim Bangura, thanks for your mentorship. Sister Lango “Salone” Dean, your contribution to this work is inestimable. Thank you. Claude Meama-Kajue, the site Administrator, your stern leadership in enforcing decorum on the forum, set the appropriate tone for all to participate and contribute to the broader Sierra Leonean debate. Dr. Malcom A. Finney, I owe you a debt of gratitude for your invaluable advice and contribution to the collection of data. Dr Ed Smith of Virginia Tech, your quite humor and constructive engagement style made it all worth my participation on the forum. Morie Saffa (Mendemoi), your lessons about the Mende Culture were instrumental in understanding the Mende of Sierra Leone. I cannot thank you enough. Dr. Lance Gberie, your report on the Sierra Leonean conflict navigated me through this dissertation. Last but by no means the least, thanks to Reverend Moses Kainwo, Mohammed Savage, Ace Faulkner, and Ibrahim Whyte. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................7 Statement of the Problem ...............................................................................................8 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................9 Research Question .......................................................................................................10 Conceptual and Theoretical Framework ......................................................................10 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................14 Definitions of Key Terms ............................................................................................14 Assumptions .................................................................................................................15 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................17 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................19 Introduction ..................................................................................................................19 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................21 Historical Background .................................................................................................25 Krio, Mende, and Temne ...................................................................................... 25 Conceptual/Theoretical Framework .............................................................................30 Majority Groups: Mende and Temne .................................................................... 33 Minority Groups: Krio .........................................................................................