Did the Freetown Infoset Aid Peace in Sierra Leone?

As readers noted in WCN, Vol IX, No. 6, one of the Maroon Team's statements was: "To ensure Democracy, people must participate in decision-making."

And, by George, it happened!

Howard French wrote (NYT, April 28) "...in one of the most remarkable changes in fortune this continent has seen since the dawn of independence from European colonialism nearly 40 years ago, Sierra Leone carried out its most peaceful and democratic national elections ever in March, replacing its young military dictators with a civilian Government."

In the first round of voting on Feb. 26, after a January coup in which Captain Strasser was overthrown by his deputy, Brig. Julius Maada Bio, 65 percent of the population showed up at the polls. In the final round, which produced a new president, Ahmad Tejan Kabbath, the turnout rose to 75 percent "despite threats by the rebels to disrupt the vote and maneuvers by the army to panic voters."

A key player in the improbable successful elections was James Jonah, a former senior United Nations official from Sierra Leone. "Those of us who have had the privilege of living in open societies as I have for 40 years," he said, defying the efforts of the military to disrupt the voting, "have a special obligation to promote the idea of democracy to our brothers and sisters."

Before the election, Tarawalli declared, "Because we need to transform to world government through implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many displaced people are actively participating in the dissemination of world citizenship information in Sierra Leone, despite the rebel war currently raging."

To those Sierra Leonean World Citizens who participated in the Infoset program in Freetown, WCN extends its heartiest congratulations.

Funds are urgently needed to continue this vital work that gives immediate voice to people's demands. Expenses must be met for food, rent, material, etc. In Sierra Leone alone, 15 more Infoset meetings will involve approximately 1300 participants.

The next Infosetters will have the advantage of the statements of all the preceding Infosets addressing the key question: "How can we, as sovereign world citizens, govern our world?"

We call upon former Infosetters as well as other World Citizens to contribute to the World Citizen Foundation's "Infoset Fund." All donations will go directly to facilitators/organizers in the field ready and eager to continue the work. (Checks should be made payable to the World Citizen Foundation, IF, 113 Church St., Burlington, VT 05401, USA; phone: (802) 660-8998; fax: (802) 864-6878.)

Sierra Leone could be the first state to "mundialize"!