Sierra Leone marks independence day

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, April 27 (UPI) -- Sierra Leone's president said Wednesday a troubled past shouldn't keep his country from celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain.

The West African nation, rich in diamonds and iron, officially became an independent country on April 27, 1961.

Sierra Leone's 10-year civil war ended in 2002 with some 50,000 people dead and thousands more injured, the BBC said. "Today we are a peaceful nation," said President Ernest Bai Koroma. "We're a nation that has agreed on electing our leaders through the democratic process."

Even though Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources, very few in the population see any benefit from its diamonds and iron ore.

Only four in 10 citizens can read and write while the average life expectancy is under 50, the British broadcaster reported.

"We have to reflect on what went wrong and I believe this is not the time to apportion blame," Koroma said. "I would want all of us Sierra Leoneans to take responsibility for the mistakes of the past."