Bermuda residents will give thanks for peace in the Republic of Sierra Leone at a church service on Sunday.

This summer, Sierra Leone concluded presidential and parliamentary elections that were hailed as among the most orderly and peaceful held in the continent of Africa for decades.

"This would not be cause for special celebration were it not for the fact that at the start of this decade the country was struggling to emerge from a ten year civil war which was marked by unusual and unspeakable brutality," said Ngadi Kamara, a member of the Sierra Leonean community in Bermuda, which is organising the service at St. Mary's Church, Warwick.

The conduct of the elections, which resulted in a transfer of power to the Opposition party, followed successful elections in neighbouring Liberia and is viewed by many Africa observers as a new era of peace and prosperity for Sierra Leone and the sub-region.

"What many may not realise is that many Bermudians contributed significantly to the effort to raise awareness locally and abroad so that international action would be taken to end the civil strife and help Sierra Leoneans establish a more solid foundation for its future development," explained Ms Kamara.

In 2000, more than 10,000 Bermuda residents signed a petition urging the diamond industry to take measures to keep conflict diamonds off the international markets.

Such gems — also known as blood diamonds — have been linked to the financing of conflicts in Sierra Leone and other African countries.

That campaign was a major factor in the establishment of a new regime for the international trade in diamonds. In 1999, the efforts of a Bermuda delegation made the Sierra Leone crisis a top-priority agenda item for Amnesty International, the world's largest human rights organisation, at a Biennial Conference.

Organisers anticipate it will be standing-room only at St. Mary's, off Middle Road, on Sunday with leaders from both political parties, members of the clergy of various faiths, representatives of NGOs, activists and members of the Human Rights Commission among those expected.

The multi-faith ecumenical service will be hosted by Reverend Andrew Doughty.

Ayo Johnson, another organiser, added: "Bermuda partnered with the people of Sierra Leone in our darkest hour. It is only fitting that we thank the community in this manner."

The service starts at 6 p.m. and will be followed by Sierra Leonean refreshments in the church hall.