By reviewing a case study of the West African state of Sierra Leone, potential lessons for other parts of the world can be gained. This title critically assesses the role and contribution of the international community to state reconstruction and post-war peacebuilding and evaluates what happens when war ends.

This volume critically examines what happens when war formally ends, the difficult and complex challenges and opportunities for winning the peace and reconciling divided communities. By reviewing a case study of the West African state of Sierra Leone, potential lessons for other parts of the world can be gained. Sierra Leone has emerged as a 'successful' model of liberal peacebuilding that is now popularly advertised and promoted by the international community as a powerful example of a country that they finally got right. Concerns about how successful a model Sierra Leone actually is, are outlined in this project. As such this volume: -

'Francis is a distinguished member of the new generation of African scholars in this field, and this new addition to his corpus of work does not disappoint. He has brought together a group of distinguished scholars to provide a fresh look at post-conflict peacebuilding, with a particular focus on Sierra Leone. At a time when the appetite for liberal peacebuilding is rapidly ebbing, he and his co-authors make a strong case for why - suitably reformed and rooted in local circumstances - external assistance can play a useful role in supporting the process of reconstruction after war.' Malcolm Chalmers, Research Director / Director, UK Defence Policy Studies, UK 'This book clearly delineates the successes and challenges my country experienced when I was at the helm of things, while making the transition from war to peacebuilding and development. It is essential reading for all Sierra Leonean policy-makers as well as others interested in post-war reconstruction especially in Africa.' Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, President of Sierra Leone, 1996-2007