Koidu-Sefadu

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Koidu Town, Sierra Leone
Coordinates: 8°36′N 11°04′W / 8.6, -11.067
Country Sierra Leone
Province Eastern Province
District Kono District
Government
 - Mayor Mary Musa (SLPP)
Population (2006 estimate)
 - Total 111,800 [1]
Time zone GMT (UTC-5)
Koidu-Sefadu
Koidu-Sefadu

Koidu Town, also known as Sefadu is the capital and largest city of Kono District in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. It is the 4th largest city in Sierra Leone and the second largest city in the Eastern Province, after Kenema. The city has a population of 111,800[1]. Koidu Town lies about 48 miles southwest of Kenema and about 200 miles east of Freetown. Like in virtualy all parts of Sierra Leone, the Krio language is widely spoken in the city of Koidu Town.[citation needed]

Koidu Town was previously the third most populous city in Sierra Leone,[citation needed] after Freetown and Bo; however, it experienced devastation during the Sierra Leone Civil War, which forced many of the residents out of the city. The town was heavily looted and constantly fought over due to the rich diamond reserves in the area.

Contents

[edit] Government

Koidu Town is governed with a city council form of government, which is headed by a mayor, in whom executive authority is vested. The mayor is responsible for the general management of the city and for seeing that all local and national laws are enforced. The mayor is elected directly by the residents of Koidu Town. The current mayor of Koidu Town is Mary Musa and she is a member of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). The city along with the entire Kono District has always been a stronghold of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).[citation needed]

[edit] Ethnicity

Koidu Town is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Sierra Leone. The city is home to all of the country's ethnic groups and most of the foreign diamond workers in the Kono District reside in the city.

[edit] Sport

Sierra Leone National Premier League club, the Diamond Stars is based in Koidu. The club represents the Kono District.

[edit] Notable secondary schools in Koidu Town

School City Founded
Koidu Secondary School Koidu Town 1938
Kono Model Academy Koidu Town 1950
Koidu Girls Secondary School Koidu Town 1952

[edit] Media

The local radio station in Koidu Town are the Eastern Radio 101.9. the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services (SLBS) TV, and radio are on the air in the city. The BBC world service, CNN International, and several other international stations are also on the air in on satellite only.

[edit] Health

American aid workers helped rebuild the Koidu Government hospital, which has improved the previously alarming health situation in the town. Various other aid organizations, including the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR and its partners, have helped drill wells, re-build clinics and schools and regenerate livelihoods in the area, as part of a programme to support the reintegration of Sierra Leoneans who returned after living for several years as refugees in neighbouring countries.

[edit] 2007 Koidu-Sefadu protest

Main article: 2007 Koidu-Sefadu protest

The 2007 Koidu-Sefadu protest was an action by 400 protesters in Koidu-Sefadu which was aimed at the local diamond mine which the resident claimed had lowered local living conditions and environmental conditions in the area. The result of the protest was a clampdown by Sierra Leonean police and the death of 2 protesters.[2]

[edit] Notable people from Koidu Town

[edit] References

  1. ^ Largest Cities in Sierra Leone
  2. ^ News | Africa - Reuters.com

Coordinates: 8°36′N, 11°04′W