Behind 'The Blood Diamond': Learn More and Get Involved
Leonardo DiCaprio said this week that filming "The Blood Diamond" was one of the toughest things he's ever done, and the experience will stay with him the rest of his life. The movie, which opens in the United States Friday, is sure to shed new light on the serious issues of diamond mining, conflict, and child soldiering in Africa.
Sierra Leone, where the movie takes place, has turned the corner from war to peace. But for Sierra Leone's people, the process of recovery has only begun, and diamond mining remains linked to human exploitation and conflict in far too many places.
OneWorld has been covering the efforts of non-profit organizations working to improve the lives of those impacted by diamond mining operations and conflict worldwide. We've brought together some key links and information to help you get more informed before you watch the movie, and more involved long after.
Sierra Leone
© World BankThis small West African country bordering Liberia and Guinea suffered a civil war from 1991 to 2000, with rebels from the so-called Revolutionary United Front (RUF) attacking both government soldiers and civilians. Tens of thousands were killed and more than 2 million of the country’s 5.5 million people were displaced.
The RUF incorporated child soldiers into their ranks, typically through abduction and forced recruitment. The conflict was prolonged by income from the sale of diamonds by rebels, and by support from then-Liberian-president Charles Taylor, who is currently in custody in The Hague, awaiting trial by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for crimes against humanity and his role in fueling the civil war in Sierra Leone.
Following a Nigerian intervention into the country in 2000, a ceasefire was declared and the civil war ended. United Nations peacekeeping forces withdrew in 2005, and the country is beginning to heal the physical and psychological scars of the conflict.
To learn more about child soldiers and blood diamonds in Sierra Leone, and to read about the country’s recovery and development, visit the International Rescue Committee’s News Index.
GlobalGiving offers individuals the opportunity to support high-impact, grassroots projects around the world. This holiday season, consider supporting a project to bring music into the lives of Sierra Leone's youth.
Plus, RSS or bookmark OneWorld's full coverage on Sierra Leone to stay up-to-date with new developments and features from the country.
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