Information on this particular subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa. Although the following information may not directly answer the question, it may be useful.

According to Youth Movements of the World, youth organizations in Sierra Leone grew out of colonial youth movements such as the West African Students Union in Britain (WASU) (1990, 474). Former Sierra Leone student members formed the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), which advocated, among other things, independence for Sierra Leone (ibid., 475).

Political Handbook of the World mentions the Progressive People's Party (PPP) as a London-based organization led by Col. Ambrose Genda (1992, 674). According to West Africa, the PPP was publicly launched on 17 August 1991 with the goal of ensuring the establishment of a multi-party system in Sierra Leone (26 Aug.-1 Sept. 1991, 1424). The PPP also called for a referendum on the need for such a multi-party political system (ibid.).

Mohammed Pateh Bah, the president, and two other executive members of the NUSS were reportedly arrested for "incitement and loitering" during a meeting at Makeni Teachers College (West Africa 3-9 Dec. 1990, 2964). The students of Fourah Bay College, Njala University and Milton Magai College were involved in protests, boycotts and walk-outs and also demanded a new constitution for the country (ibid.; ibid. 26 March-1 Apr. 1990, 516; ibid. 19-25 March 1990, 470).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Political Handbook of the World: 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

West Africa [London]. 26 August-1 September 1991. "Dateline Sierra Leone: New Party."

_____. 3-9 December 1990. "Dateline Sierra Leone: Boycotts Off."

_____. 26 March-1 April 1990. "Dateline Sierra Leone: Student Protests."

_____. 19-25 March 1990. "Dateline Sierra Leone: Student Walkout."

Youth Movements of the World. 1990. Edited by William D. Angel. London: Longman Group UK Ltd.

Attachments

Political Handbook of the World: 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

West Africa [London]. 26 August-1 September 1991. "Dateline Sierra Leone: New Party," p. 1424.

_____. 3-9 December 1990. "Dateline Sierra Leone: Boycotts Off," p. 2964.

_____. 12-18 November 1990. "Dateline Sierra Leone: New Pressure Group," p. 2836.

_____. 26 March-1 April 1990. "Dateline Sierra Leone: Student Protests," p. 516.

_____. 19-25 March 1990. "Dateline Sierra Leone: Student Walkout," p. 470.

Youth Movements of the World. 1990. Edited by William D. Angel. London: Longman Group UK Ltd.

Other Sources Consulted

Amnesty International: Urgent Action, Weekly Updates, files.

L'Afrique contemporaine [Paris]. Quarterly.

Africa South of the Sahara. Yearly. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political Series [London]. Monthly.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly. US Department of State. Washington: US Government Printing Office.

The Europa World Year Book. Yearly. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. Vol. 3. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International Guide. 1991. London: Longman Group UK Ltd. Human Rights in Africa. 1990. Washington DC: Brookings Institute.

Africa Events [London]. Monthly.

Africa News [Durham, NC]. Bi-monthly.

New African [London]. Monthly.

News from Africa Watch [New York]. Monthly.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. Weekly.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Reports. Daily.