Frustration or Facilitation? Peacebuilding Ownership in Sierra Leone and the Reproduction of Social Inequalities.

Despite high levels of political will at the international, regional, and sub-regional levels, donor mobilization, a national peacebuilding effort, and a relatively secure post-conflict peace, Sierra Leone perpetually ranks last among all countries globally in terms of human development and measures of social equality. What factors account for this outcome? I address this question by examining whether the efforts of the primary peacebuilding actors in Sierra Leone ? international donors, the host government, and international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) ? have contributed to outcomes conducive to the facilitation or reduction of social inequality and exclusion. I analyze three programs in detail: the impact of the national disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) program on ex-combatants (especially female ex-combatants); a recently-established program to foster community peacebuilding and development through the diamond mining industry; and the rehabilitation of livelihoods through a CARE-sponsored program that focuses on seed distribution and agriculture. I conclude that factors such as the organizational culture of INGOs, inadequate funding, ongoing government corruption, poor program design, and a dearth of information, knowledge, and understanding of local political, economic, and social contexts have obstructed the successful implementation of specific programs, have contributed to dysfunctional peacebuilding outcomes, and thus have failed to positively impact social inequality and exclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]