Sierra Leone

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Rudiger Bruns stands on the Mano River Bridge on the country's border with Liberia. The bridge is considered to be an international bridge for the countries Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. He is posing with Guinean military personnel, Sierra Leone security personnel and Liberian security men, which in this case are former rebels. (Rudiger Bruns) swissinfo.ch

Sierra Leone's golden sands were once a draw for tourists from Britain and across Europe. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Few roads outside major cities are paved. This one leads out of the Regent neighbourhood of the capital Freetown. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Public transport is often conducted using the poda-poda, an overstuffed and glorified form of minibus that seats up to 24 is generally quite cheap. Some people however go to great lengths for a free ride. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Freetown is next to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean but homes extend into the surrounding hills which inspired the country's name, a Portuguese derivative of "lion mountains". (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Most areas of Freetown are very overcrowded, leading to the spread of infection and disease. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Upcountry life is usually simpler. Many people in the rural areas of Sierra Leone live in traditional huts. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Men and boys who work in the diamond business often do so for very little pay. About two hours outside the city of Kenema, people are sifting by hand through tons of sand already processed by machines, looking for smaller stones. It is heavy work and they are always watched. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Tokeh Beach, an hour's drive from Freetown, is among Sierra Leone's nicest. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

Fishermen in Lungi, close to Sierra Leone's main airport, fish using traditional wooden boats. (Justin Häne) swissinfo.ch

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