Sierra Leone vs. Guinea
Introduction
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Background | Continuously populated for at least 2,500 years, the dense jungle in the area of Sierra Leone allowed the region to remain relatively protected from invaders from empires in West Africa. Traders introduced Sierra Leone to Islam, which occupies a central role in Sierra Leonean culture and history. In the 17th century, the British set up a trading post near present-day Freetown. The trade originally involved timber and ivory, but later expanded to enslaved people. In 1787, following the American Revolution, Sierra Leone became a destination for black British loyalists from the new United States. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, British ships delivered thousands of liberated Africans to Sierra Leone. During the 19th century, the colony gradually expanded inland. In 1961, Sierra Leone became independent of the UK. While Sierra Leone held free and fair elections in 1962 and 1967, Siaka STEVENS - Sierra Leone's second prime minister - quickly reverted to authoritarian tendencies, outlawing most political parties and ruling from 1967 to 1985. In 1991, Sierra Leonean soldiers launched a civil war against STEVENS' ruling party. The war caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). In 1998, a Nigerian-led West African coalition military force intervened, installing Tejan KABBAH - who was originally elected in 1996 - as prime minister. In 2002, KABBAH officially announced the end of the war. Since 1998, Sierra Leone has conducted uninterrupted democratic elections. | Guinea's deep Muslim heritage arrived via the neighboring Almoravid Empire in the 11th century. Following Almoravid decline, Guinea existed on the fringe of several African kingdoms all competing for regional dominance. In the 13th century, the Mali Empire took control of Guinea, encouraging its already growing Muslim faith. After the fall of the West African empires, various smaller kingdoms controlled Guinea. In the 18th century, Fulani Muslims established an Islamic state in central Guinea that represents one of the earliest examples of a written constitution and alternating leadership. While European traders first arrived in the 16th century, it was the French who secured colonial rule in the 19th century. In 1958, Guinea became independent from France, and Sekou TOURE established an authoritarian regime. TOURE ruled until his death in 1984. After TOURE's death, General Lansana CONTE staged a coup and seized the government. CONTE organized and won presidential elections in 1993, 1998, and 2003. Upon CONTE's death in December 2008, Captain Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seized power, and suspended the constitution. In September 2009, presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally, killing more than 150 people. In early December 2009, CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and exiled to Burkina Faso. In 2010 and 2013 respectively, the country held its first free and fair presidential and legislative elections. Alpha CONDE won the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections. CONDE's first cabinet was the first all-civilian government in Guinean history. In March 2020, Guinea passed a constitutional referendum that extended presidential terms and reset CONDE's term count, and later that year, Alpha CONDE won a controversial third presidential term. CONDE's current term will end in 2026. |
Geography
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Location | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone |
Geographic coordinates | 8 30 N, 11 30 W | 11 00 N, 10 00 W |
Map references | Africa | Africa |
Area | total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km | total: 245,857 sq km land: 245,717 sq km water: 140 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly smaller than South Carolina | slightly smaller than Oregon; slightly larger than twice the size of Pennsylvania |
Land boundaries | total: 1,093 km border countries (2): Guinea 794 km, Liberia 299 km | total: 4,046 km border countries (6): Cote d'Ivoire 816 km, Guinea-Bissau 421 km, Liberia 590 km, Mali 1062 km, Senegal 363 km, Sierra Leone 794 km |
Coastline | 402 km | 320 km |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Climate | tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) | generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds |
Terrain | coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east | generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior |
Elevation extremes | highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 279 m | highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 472 m |
Natural resources | diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite | bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt |
Land use | agricultural land: 56.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 23.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 30.5% (2018 est.) forest: 37.5% (2018 est.) other: 6.3% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 58.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 43.5% (2018 est.) forest: 26.5% (2018 est.) other: 15.4% (2018 est.) |
Irrigated land | 300 sq km (2012) | 950 sq km (2012) |
Natural hazards | dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms | hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season |
Environment - current issues | rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation, soil exhaustion, and flooding; loss of biodiversity; air pollution; water pollution; overfishing | deforestation; inadequate potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices lead to environmental damage; water pollution; improper waste disposal |
Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note | rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa | the Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands |
Total renewable water resources | 160 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 226 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
Population distribution | population clusters are found in the lower elevations of the south and west; the northern third of the country is less populated as shown on this population distribution map | areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map |
Demographics
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Population | 6,807,277 (July 2021 est.) | 12,877,894 (July 2021 est.) |
Age structure | 0-14 years: 41.38% (male 1,369,942/female 1,371,537) 15-24 years: 18.83% (male 610,396/female 636,880) 25-54 years: 32.21% (male 1,020,741/female 1,112,946) 55-64 years: 3.89% (male 121,733/female 135,664) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 100,712/female 144,382) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 41.2% (male 2,601,221/female 2,559,918) 15-24 years: 19.32% (male 1,215,654/female 1,204,366) 25-54 years: 30.85% (male 1,933,141/female 1,930,977) 55-64 years: 4.73% (male 287,448/female 305,420) 65 years and over: 3.91% (male 218,803/female 270,492) (2020 est.) |
Median age | total: 19.1 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.7 years (2020 est.) | total: 19.1 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.4 years (2020 est.) |
Population growth rate | 2.44% (2021 est.) | 2.76% (2021 est.) |
Birth rate | 35.04 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 35.86 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
Death rate | 9.7 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
Net migration rate | -0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
Infant mortality rate | total: 65.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 73.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 56.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 50.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
Life expectancy at birth | total population: 60.19 years male: 57.48 years female: 62.97 years (2021 est.) | total population: 63.53 years male: 61.7 years female: 65.42 years (2021 est.) |
Total fertility rate | 4.58 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 4.89 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 1.5% (2020 est.) | 1.4% (2020 est.) |
Nationality | noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean | noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean |
Ethnic groups | Temne 35.4%, Mende 30.8%, Limba 8.8%, Kono 4.3%, Korankoh 4%, Fullah 3.8%, Mandingo 2.8%, Loko 2%, Sherbro 1.9%, Creole 1.2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), other 5% (2019 est.) | Fulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign 0.4% (2018 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 80,000 (2020 est.) | 110,000 (2020 est.) |
Religions | Muslim 77.1%, Christian 22.9% (2019 est.) | Muslim 89.1%, Christian 6.8%, animist 1.6%, other 0.1%, none 2.4% (2014 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - deaths | 3,200 (2020 est.) | 3,300 (2020 est.) |
Languages | English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) | French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages note: about 40 languages are spoken; each ethnic group has its own language |
Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 43.2% male: 51.6% female: 39.8% (2018) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 30.4% male: 38.1% female: 22.8% (2015) |
Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever (2016) note: on 14 February 2021, the Guinea government declared an outbreak of Ebola in N'Zerekore; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Travel Advisory recommending travelers avoid non-essential travel to Guinea; travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come into contact with an infected person's blood or other body fluids; travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel |
Food insecurity | severe localized food insecurity: due to high food prices - about 1.76 million people are estimated to be severely food insecure during the June-August 2021 period on account of high food prices and low purchasing power, resulting in acute constraints on households' access to food; the main drivers of the food insecurity are the effects of adverse weather events (flooding), Fall Armyworm attacks on maize in some localized areas, high inflation rate, weakening local currency and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions (2021) | severe localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls of cereal production - despite overall favorable food security conditions, the most vulnerable households still need external food assistance; the aggregate number of severely food insecure people was estimated at 267,000 during the lean season between June and August 2020; it is very likely that the number of food insecure population increased with the impact of COVID-19 (2021) |
Education expenditures | 7.7% of GDP (2019) | 2.3% of GDP (2018) |
Urbanization | urban population: 43.4% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 37.3% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
Drinking water source | improved: urban: 89.5% of population rural: 55.7% of population total: 69.8% of population unimproved: urban: 10.5% of population rural: 44.3% of population total: 30.2% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 97.9% of population rural: 69.8% of population total: 79.9% of population unimproved: urban: 2.1% of population rural: 27.6% of population total: 20.1% of population (2017 est.) |
Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 74.3% of population rural: 31.9% of population total: 49.6% of population unimproved: urban: 25.7% of population rural: 68.1% of population total: 50.4% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 85.6% of population rural: 34.8% of population total: 53% of population unimproved: urban: 14.4% of population rural: 65.2% of population total: 47% of population (2017 est.) |
Major cities - population | 1.236 million FREETOWN (capital) (2021) | 1.991 million CONAKRY (capital) (2021) |
Maternal mortality rate | 1,120 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 576 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 13.5% (2019) | 16.3% (2018) |
Health expenditures | 16.1% (2018) | 3.9% (2018) |
Physicians density | 0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2011) | 0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2016) |
Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 8.7% (2016) | 7.7% (2016) |
Mother's mean age at first birth | 19.6 years (2019 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 | 19.9 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 |
Demographic profile | Sierra Leone's youthful and growing population is driven by its high total fertility rate (TFR) of almost 5 children per woman, which has declined little over the last two decades. Its elevated TFR is sustained by the continued desire for large families, the low level of contraceptive use, and the early start of childbearing. Despite its high TFR, Sierra Leone's population growth is somewhat tempered by high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates that are among the world's highest and are a result of poverty, a lack of potable water and sanitation, poor nutrition, limited access to quality health care services, and the prevalence of female genital cutting. Sierra Leone's large youth cohort - about 60% of the population is under the age of 25 - continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment, which was one of the major causes of the country's 1991-2002 civil war and remains a threat to stability today. Its estimated 60% youth unemployment rate is attributed to high levels of illiteracy and unskilled labor, a lack of private sector jobs, and low pay. Sierra Leone has been a source of and destination for refugees. Sierra Leone's civil war internally displaced as many as 2 million people, or almost half the population, and forced almost another half million to seek refuge in neighboring countries (370,000 Sierra Leoneans fled to Guinea and 120,000 to Liberia). The UNHCR has helped almost 180,000 Sierra Leoneans to return home, while more than 90,000 others have repatriated on their own. Of the more than 65,000 Liberians who took refuge in Sierra Leone during their country's civil war (1989-2003), about 50,000 have been voluntarily repatriated by the UNHCR and others have returned home independently. As of 2015, less than 1,000 Liberians still reside in Sierra Leone. | Guinea's strong population growth is a result of declining mortality rates and sustained elevated fertility. The population growth rate was somewhat tempered in the 2000s because of a period of net outmigration. Although life expectancy and mortality rates have improved over the last two decades, the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continues to contribute to high infant and maternal mortality rates. Guinea's total fertility remains high at about 5 children per woman because of the ongoing preference for larger families, low contraceptive usage and availability, a lack of educational attainment and empowerment among women, and poverty. A lack of literacy and vocational training programs limit job prospects for youths, but even those with university degrees often have no option but to work in the informal sector. About 60% of the country's large youth population is unemployed. Tensions and refugees have spilled over Guinea's borders with Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d'Ivoire. During the 1990s Guinea harbored as many as half a million refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia, more refugees than any other African country for much of that decade. About half sought refuge in the volatile "Parrot's Beak" region of southwest Guinea, a wedge of land jutting into Sierra Leone near the Liberian border. Many were relocated within Guinea in the early 2000s because the area suffered repeated cross-border attacks from various government and rebel forces, as well as anti-refugee violence. |
Contraceptive prevalence rate | 21.2% (2019) | 10.9% (2018) |
Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 76.3 youth dependency ratio: 71.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.2 potential support ratio: 19.4 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 85.2 youth dependency ratio: 79.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.) |
Government
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone local short form: Sierra Leone etymology: the Portuguese explorer Pedro de SINTRA named the country "Serra Leoa" (Lion Mountains) for the impressive mountains he saw while sailing the West African coast in 1462 | conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea etymology: the country is named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel |
Government type | presidential republic | presidential republic |
Capital | name: Freetown geographic coordinates: 8 29 N, 13 14 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derived from the fact that the original settlement served as a haven for free-born and freed African Americans, as well as for liberated Africans rescued from slave ships | name: Conakry geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 13 42 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: according to tradition, the name derives from the fusion of the name "Cona," a Baga wine and cheese producer who lived on Tombo Island (the original site of the present-day capital), and the word "nakiri," which in Susu means "the other bank" or "the other side"; supposedly, Baga's palm grove produced the best wine on the island and people traveling to sample his vintage, would say: "I am going to Cona, on the other bank (Cona-nakiri)," which over time became Conakry |
Administrative divisions | 4 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, North Western, Southern, Western* | 7 regions administrative and 1 gouvenorat*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore |
Independence | 27 April 1961 (from the UK) | 2 October 1958 (from France) |
National holiday | Independence Day, 27 April (1961) | Independence Day, 2 October (1958) |
Constitution | history: several previous; latest effective 1 October 1991 amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in two successive readings and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms and many other constitutional sections also requires approval in a referendum with participation of at least one half of qualified voters and at least two thirds of votes cast; amended several times, last in 2016 | history: previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly or by the president of the republic; consideration of proposals requires approval by simple majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires approval in referendum; the president can opt to submit amendments directly to the Assembly, in which case approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote; revised in 2020 |
Legal system | mixed legal system of English common law and customary law | civil law system based on the French model |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
Executive branch | chief of state: President Julius Maada BIO (since 4 April 2018); Vice President Mohamed Juldeh JALLOH (since 4 April 2018) ; note - the president is both chief of state, head of government, and minister of defense head of government: President Julius Maada BIO (since 4 April 2018); Vice President Mohamed Juldeh JALLOH (since 4 April 2018) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president, approved by Parliament; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 4 April 2018 (next to be in 2023) election results: Julius Maada BIO elected president in second round; percent of vote - Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 51.8%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 48.2% | chief of state: President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010) note: on 5 September 2021, Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA led a military coup by a National Committee of Rally and Development that arrested President CONDE, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the government head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima FOFANA (since 22 May 2018) note: on 5 September 2021, Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA led a military coup by a National Committee of Rally and Development that arrested President CONDE, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 18 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alpha CONDE reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 59.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 33.5%, other 7% |
Legislative branch | description: unicameral Parliament (146 seats; 132 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 14 seats filled in separate elections by non-partisan members of Parliament called "paramount chiefs;" members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 7 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - APC 68, SLPP 49, C4C 8, other 7; composition - men 131, women 15, percent of women 10.3% | description: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; 76 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 38 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 21 March 2020 (next to be held 1 March 2027) election results: In parliamentary elections, the Rally of the Guinean People-Rainbow wins 57.5% of the vote (79 of 114 seats), the Democratic Union of Guinea 5.3% (4), the Democratic Popular Movement of Guinea 4.1% (3), and the New Democratic Forces 2.8% (3). Turnout is 58.0%. |
Judicial branch | highest courts: Superior Court of Judicature (consists of the Supreme Court - at the apex - with the chief justice and 4 other judges, the Court of Appeal with the chief justice and 7 other judges, and the High Court of Justice with the chief justice and 9 other judges); note - the Judicature has jurisdiction in all civil, criminal, and constitutional matters judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice and other judges of the Judicature appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 7-member independent body of judges, presidential appointees, and the Commission chairman, and are subject to approval by Parliament; all Judicature judges serve until retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; District Appeals Court; local courts | highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Administrative Chamber and Civil, Penal, and Social Chamber; court consists of the first president, 2 chamber presidents, 10 councilors, the solicitor general, and NA deputies); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; members serve until age 65; Constitutional Court member appointments - 2 by the National Assembly and the president of the republic, 3 experienced judges designated by their peers, 1 experienced lawyer, 1 university professor with expertise in public law designated by peers, and 2 experienced representatives of the Independent National Institution of Human Rights; members serve single 9-year terms subordinate courts: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; High Court of Justice or Cour d'Assises; Court of Account (Court of Auditors); Courts of First Instance (Tribunal de Premiere Instance); labor court; military tribunal; justices of the peace; specialized courts |
Political parties and leaders | All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA] Coalition for Change or C4C [Tamba R. SANDY] National Grand Coalition or NGC [Dr. Dennis BRIGHT] Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Dr. Prince HARDING] numerous other parties | Bloc Liberal or BL [Faya MILLIMONO] National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE] Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE] Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO] Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] Ruling party
Opposition parties
|
International organization participation | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr WAI (since 8 April 2019) chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-1605 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793 email address and website: info@embassyofsierraleone.net https://embassyofsierraleone.net/ | chief of mission: Ambassador Kerfalla YANSANE (since 24 January 2018) chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 986-3800 email address and website: http://guineaembassyusa.org/en/welcome-to-the-embassy-of-guinea-washington-usa/ |
Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador David REIMER (since 24 March 2021) embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown mailing address: 2160 Freetown Place, Washington DC 20521-2160 telephone: [232] 99 105 000 email address and website: consularfreetown@state.gov https://sl.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Steven KOUTSIS (since September 2020) embassy: Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry mailing address: 2110 Conakry Place, Washington DC 20521-2110 telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00 FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97 email address and website: ConakryACS@state.gov https://gn.usembassy.gov/ |
Flag description | three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue; green symbolizes agriculture, mountains, and natural resources, white represents unity and justice, and blue the sea and the natural harbor in Freetown | three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal |
National anthem | name: High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA note: adopted 1961 | name: "Liberte" (Liberty) lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA note: adopted 1958 |
International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
National symbol(s) | lion; national colors: green, white, blue | elephant; national colors: red, yellow, green |
Citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Guinea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: na |
Economy
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Economy - overview | Sierra Leone is extremely poor and nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The country possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but it is still recovering from a civil war that destroyed most institutions before ending in the early 2000s. In recent years, economic growth has been driven by mining - particularly iron ore. The country's principal exports are iron ore, diamonds, and rutile, and the economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices. Until 2014, the government had relied on external assistance to support its budget, but it was gradually becoming more independent. The Ebola outbreak of 2014 and 2015, combined with falling global commodities prices, caused a significant contraction of economic activity in all areas. While the World Health Organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in November 2015, low commodity prices in 2015-2016 contributed to the country's biggest fiscal shortfall since 2001. In 2017, increased iron ore exports, together with the end of the Ebola epidemic, supported a resumption of economic growth. Continued economic growth will depend on rising commodities prices and increased efforts to diversify the sources of growth. Non-mining activities will remain constrained by inadequate infrastructure, such as power and roads, even though power sector projects may provide some additional electricity capacity in the near term. Pervasive corruption and undeveloped human capital will continue to deter foreign investors. Sustained international donor support in the near future will partially offset these fiscal constraints. | Guinea is a poor country of approximately 12.9 million people in 2016 that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves, as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea's main exports. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth. Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a 3-year Extended Credit Facility arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government's ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In 2014, Guinea complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts. Guinea completed its program with the IMF in October 2016 even though some targeted reforms have been delayed. Currently Guinea is negotiating a new IMF program which will be based on Guinea's new five-year economic plan, focusing on the development of higher value-added products, including from the agro-business sector and development of the rural economy. Political instability, a reintroduction of the Ebola virus epidemic, low international commodity prices, and an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency are factors that could impact Guinea's future growth. Economic recovery will be a long process while the government adjusts to lower inflows of international donor aid following the surge of Ebola-related emergency support. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in the 2014-15 period and impeded several projects, such as offshore oil exploration and the Simandou iron ore project. The economy, however, grew by 6.6% in 2016 and 6.7% in 2017, mainly due to growth from bauxite mining and thermal energy generation as well as the resiliency of the agricultural sector. The 240-megawatt Kaleta Dam, inaugurated in September 2015, has expanded access to electricity for residents of Conakry. An combined with fears of Ebola virus, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability. Guinea's iron ore industry took a hit in 2016 when investors in the Simandou iron ore project announced plans to divest from the project. In 2017, agriculture output and public investment boosted economic growth, while the mining sector continued to play a prominent role in economic performance. Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water - all of which continue to plague economic development. The present government, led by President Alpha CONDE, is working to create an environment to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries and firms in Guinea's economic development. |
GDP (purchasing power parity) | $13.425 billion (2019 est.) $12.724 billion (2018 est.) $12.3 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $32.72 billion (2019 est.) $30.985 billion (2018 est.) $29.176 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
GDP - real growth rate | 3.7% (2017 est.) 6.3% (2016 est.) -20.5% (2015 est.) | 8.2% (2017 est.) 10.5% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $1,718 (2019 est.) $1,663 (2018 est.) $1,643 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $2,562 (2019 est.) $2,496 (2018 est.) $2,418 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 60.7% (2017 est.) industry: 6.5% (2017 est.) services: 32.9% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 19.8% (2017 est.) industry: 32.1% (2017 est.) services: 48.1% (2017 est.) |
Population below poverty line | 56.8% (2018 est.) | 43.7% (2018 est.) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.6% (2003) | lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.3% (2007) |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 14.8% (2019 est.) 16% (2018 est.) 18.2% (2017 est.) | 9.4% (2019 est.) 9.8% (2018 est.) 8.9% (2017 est.) |
Labor force | 132,000 (2013 est.) | 5.558 million (2017 est.) |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 61.1% industry: 5.5% services: 33.4% (2014 est.) | agriculture: 76% industry: 24% (2006 est.) |
Unemployment rate | 15% (2017 est.) 17.2% (2016 est.) | 2.7% (2017 est.) 2.8% (2016 est.) |
Distribution of family income - Gini index | 35.7 (2018 est.) 62.9 (1989) | 33.7 (2012 est.) 40.3 (1994) |
Budget | revenues: 562 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 846.4 million (2017 est.) | revenues: 1.7 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.748 billion (2017 est.) |
Industries | diamond mining; iron ore, rutile and bauxite mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, footwear) | bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore; light manufacturing, agricultural processing |
Industrial production growth rate | 15.5% (2017 est.) | 11% (2017 est.) |
Agriculture - products | cassava, rice, vegetables, oil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, milk, citrus fruit, groundnuts, fruit, pulses nes | rice, cassava, groundnuts, maize, oil palm fruit, fonio, plantains, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, vegetables |
Exports | $1.085 billion (2018 est.) $1.632 billion (2017 est.) | $5.041 billion (2019 est.) $5.073 billion (2018 est.) $4.733 billion (2017 est.) |
Exports - commodities | titanium, lumber, diamonds, aluminum, cocoa beans (2019) | aluminum, gold, bauxite, diamonds, fish, cashews (2019) |
Exports - partners | Belgium 26%, China 25%, Romania 9%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Germany 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) | United Arab Emirates 39%, China 36%, India 6% (2019) |
Imports | $2.619 billion (2020 est.) $2.414 billion (2019 est.) $2.072 billion (2018 est.) | $7.924 billion (2019 est.) $8.76 billion (2018 est.) $7.317 billion (2017 est.) |
Imports - commodities | rice, plastics, packaged medicines, sauces/seasonings, cars (2019) | rice, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, cars (2019) |
Imports - partners | China 27%, India 11%, United States 6%, Ghana 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) | China 39%, India 8%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) |
Debt - external | $1.615 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.503 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.458 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.462 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
Exchange rates | leones (SLL) per US dollar - 7,396.3 (2017 est.) 6,289.9 (2016 est.) 6,289.9 (2015 est.) 5,080.8 (2014 est.) 4,524.2 (2013 est.) | Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 9,953 (2020 est.) 9,542.5 (2019 est.) 9,092 (2018 est.) 7,485.5 (2014 est.) 7,014.1 (2013 est.) |
Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
Public debt | 63.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 54.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | 37.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 41.8% of GDP (2016 est.) |
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $478 million (31 December 2017 est.) $497.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $331.8 million (31 December 2017 est.) $383.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) |
Current Account Balance | -$407 million (2017 est.) -$88 million (2016 est.) | -$705 million (2017 est.) -$2.705 billion (2016 est.) |
GDP (official exchange rate) | $4.132 billion (2020 est.) | $13.55 billion (2019 est.) |
Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 47.5 (2020) Starting a Business score: 91.3 (2020) Trading score: 51.9 (2020) Enforcement score: 55.9 (2020) | Overall score: 49.4 (2020) Starting a Business score: 84.5 (2020) Trading score: 47.8 (2020) Enforcement score: 53.9 (2020) |
Taxes and other revenues | 15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -7.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 9.4% male: 14.8% female: 6.1% (2014 est.) | total: 1% male: 1.5% female: 0.6% (2012 est.) |
GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 97.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.3% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 80.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 6.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 9.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 18.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -36.9% (2017 est.) |
Gross national saving | -7.3% of GDP (2018 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2017 est.) -5.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | 4.3% of GDP (2019 est.) 2.7% of GDP (2018 est.) 11.4% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Electricity - production | 300 million kWh (2016 est.) | 598 million kWh (2016 est.) |
Electricity - consumption | 279 million kWh (2016 est.) | 556.1 million kWh (2016 est.) |
Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Oil - proved reserves | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
Natural gas - proved reserves | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) |
Natural gas - production | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Natural gas - consumption | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Electricity - installed generating capacity | 113,300 kW (2016 est.) | 550,000 kW (2016 est.) |
Electricity - from fossil fuels | 23% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 33% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 51% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 67% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
Electricity - from other renewable sources | 26% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - consumption | 6,500 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 19,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - imports | 6,439 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 18,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Electricity access | electrification - total population: 26% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 52% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) | electrification - total population: 46% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 84% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 24% (2019) |
Telecommunications
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 3,434 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 0 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 6,729,804 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 103.77 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 12.873 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105.63 (2019 est.) |
Internet country code | .sl | .gn |
Internet users | total: 568,099 percent of population: 9% (July 2018 est.) | total: 2,133,974 percent of population: 18% (July 2018 est.) |
Telecommunication systems | general assessment: telecom sector is recovering from the decades of war, yet still constrained by inadequate power and pervasive corruption; recently installed terrestrial fiber backbone infrastructure; telephone service improving with the rapid growth of mobile sector; operators increased investment to provide national coverage; LTE available in some parts of the country; construction of 600 km ECOWAS Wide Area Network completed; fiber link to Guinea completed; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021) (2020)domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 86 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 232; landing point for the ACE submarine cable linking to South Africa, over 20 western African countries and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: Guinea's mobile subscribership growing through investment of South African telecom operators and Chinese Huawei management; m-transactions supported commerce; broadband still limited and expensive though submarine cable and IXP improved reliability of infrastructure; 4G Wi-Fi in the capital; National Backbone Network will connect regional administrative centers; ECOWAS countries to launch free roaming; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021) (2020)domestic: there is national coverage and Conakry is reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate but is improving; fixed-line teledensity is less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding rapidly and now 101 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 224; ACE submarine cable connecting Guinea with 20 landing points in Western and South Africa and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
Broadcast media | 1 government-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; a pay-TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio station; about two-dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2019) | government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a dozen private television stations; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services (2019) |
Transportation
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Roadways | total: 11,700 km (2015) paved: 1,051 km (2015) unpaved: 10,650 km (2015) urban: 3,000 km (2015) non-urban: 8,700 km (2015) | total: 44,301 km (2018) paved: 3,346 km (2018) unpaved: 40,955 km (2018) |
Waterways | 800 km (600 km navigable year-round) (2011) | 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger River system) (2011) |
Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands | major seaport(s): Conakry, Kamsar |
Merchant marine | total: 557 by type: bulk carrier 31, container ship 12, general cargo 286, oil tanker 104, other 124 (2020) | total: 2 by type: other 2 (2020) |
Airports | total: 8 (2013) | total: 16 (2013) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1 (2019) over 3,047 m: 1 | total: 4 (2019) over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 7 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013) | total: 12 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013) under 914 m: 2 (2013) |
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | 9L | 3X |
Military
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Military branches | Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): combined ground, air, and maritime forces (2020) | National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee), Presidential Security Battalion (Battailon Autonome de la Sécurité Presidentielle, BASP), Gendarmerie (2020) |
Military service age and obligation | 18-29 for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve; no conscription (2019) | no compulsory military service (2021) |
Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 0.7% of GDP (2019) 0.7% of GDP (2018) 0.4% of GDP (2017) 0.3% of GDP (2016) 0.3% of GDP (2015) | 2% of GDP (2019) 2.3% of GDP (2018) 2.5% of GDP (2017) 2.5% of GDP (2016) 3.3% of GDP (2015) |
Military and security service personnel strengths | the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have approximately 9,000 personnel, mostly ground forces (2021) | Guinean National Armed Forces are comprised of approximately 12,000 active personnel (9,000 Army; 400 Navy; 800 Air Force; 300 BASP; 1,500 Gendarmerie) (2020) |
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the RSLAF's small inventory includes a mix of Soviet-origin and other older foreign-supplied equipment; since 2010, it has received limited quantities of material (mostly donations of second-hand equipment) from China and South Africa (2020) | the inventory of the Guinean military consists largely of ageing and outdated (mostly Soviet-era) equipment; since 2010, it has received small amounts of equipment from France, Russia, and South Africa (2020) |
Transnational Issues
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Disputes - international | Sierra Leone opposes Guinean troops' continued occupation of Yenga, a small village on the Makona River that serves as a border with Guinea; Guinea's forces came to Yenga in the mid-1990s to help the Sierra Leonean military to suppress rebels and to secure their common border but have remained there even after both countries signed a 2005 agreement acknowledging that Yenga belonged to Sierra Leone; in 2012, the two sides signed a declaration to demilitarize the area | Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa Rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998 |
Environment
Sierra Leone | Guinea | |
---|---|---|
Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 20.63 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.09 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 3.16 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 22.43 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 3 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 11.13 megatons (2020 est.) |
Total water withdrawal | municipal: 111 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 55.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 45.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 224.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 56.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 292.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) |
Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 6.92% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 4.81% of GDP (2018 est.) |
Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 610,222 tons (2004 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 596,911 tons (1996 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 29,846 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5% (2005 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook