Pressure from Special Court for Sierra Leone led U.S. House and Senate to call for extradition to court of former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor from Nigeria; Nigerian President Obasanjo said Taylor would be sent to Liberia if that government, to be elected in October 2005, so requested.

Concern about refugee unrest following World Food Programme plans to reduce food basket by 30%. Sierra Rutile Mines, once biggest industry in country, reopened after decade of closure.

War crimes tribunal chief prosecutor, David Crane, announced will leave July, casting doubt on extradition of Charles Taylor. Court welcomed arrest of Dutch citizen in connection with arms trafficking, while 3 members of former military junta went on trial for crimes against humanity. Deputy defence minister and ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party member Joe Blell accused of corruption. Fuel shortages continue.

Government weakened oversight of newly- launched anti-corruption strategy. President Kabbah warned Anti-Corruption Commission against public allegations before full investigation, citing risk announcement of investigation into 6 ministers would prove destabilising; reversed donor commitments, announcing central role for discredited Attorney General’s office. Investigative journalists intimidated by arrest of anti-corruption journalist Olu Gordon. Special Court for Sierra Leone continued trials, but hit by incarceration of Chief Investigator Halloran on molestation charges. Freetown student demonstrations marked risk of growing civil unrest.

General strike 3-4 January ended peacefully with government concessions. Sierra Leonean media reported continued Guinean occupation of diamond- rich Yenga and harassment of Sierra Leonean residents.

Proposed 2005 budget included several anti-corruption measures, shifting focus from reconstruction to development. Ten sentenced to death, 4 acquitted after 8-month trial on charges of attempting January 2003 coup; former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council leader Johnny Paul Koroma believed abroad. No progress in Yenga dispute with Guinea.

Trial of indicted former members of Civil Defence Force resumed at Special Court without defendants present; evidence heard on Kamajors conduct during war.

Sierra Leone remained generally quiet. Paul Kamara, editor of For Di People newspaper, jailed for 2 years for sedition against President Kabbah.

Guinean troops pulled back to border 6 September, ending long-standing Yenga dispute. UN Security Council extended mandate of UN Mission in Sierra Leone to 30 June 2005; presence and tasks to be reduced early 2005. UN handed over security of Freetown to government 23 September. Human Rights Watch warned Special Court for Sierra Leone needed more funds to function fully.

Dispute continued over status of Yenga town, occupied by Guinean troops. Sierra Leone and Guinea agreed 6 August at Conakry talks to joint mission to determine solution.