By Alhassan Karbo

Get the report here: http://www.defenceagainstcorruption.org/publications/all-publications/116-defence-contracts-and-anti-corruption-reforms-the-reality-in-sierra-leone/download

Sierra Leone has consistently been ranked among the least developed countries in the world despite its abundance of highly precious mineral resources and fertile lands. A major contributing factor for this paradox has been rampant corruption, tribalism and nepotism. This paper provides an overview of Sierra Leone’s defence sector and the various actors involved in the struggle for power and control over natural resources throughout the recent history of the country against the background of a lacking or inefficient system of oversight and anti-corruption.

The paper further outlines some of the country’s notorious cases of irregularities in defence contracts and military procurements. The reaction has been a significant push for reformed counter-corruption measures championed by the evolving Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone and supported by legislative amendments, international conventions addressing corruption, and broadening civil society engagement under the umbrella of a National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

The paper has been prepared by Alhassan Karbo, Legal Officer and Acting Chief of Intelligence of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, during his instalment at Transparency International UK.

Further Selected Reading

Reno, William (2008) 'Anti-corruption Efforts in Liberia: Are they Aimed at the Right Targets?', International Peacekeeping, 15:3, 387 — 404

William’s article provides a critical analysis of the Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme’s (GEMAP) attempt at fighting corruption in Liberia and whether its anti-corruption efforts are actually counter-productive towards reconstruction efforts. He also questions whether tolerating some levels of corruption in Liberia might contribute towards economic growth and political stability. The article concludes by stating that GEMAP’s experience in Liberia has a crucial and somewhat controversial learning point for post-conflict reconstruction efforts—namely, a recognition that certain wartime individuals and networks possess material and social assets that need to be integrated into the restructured post-war political economy.

Bangura, Zainab Hawa (2007), ‘Addressing Corruption and Implementing Reconstruction in Post-War Sierra Leone: Institutional and Procedural Dimensions’, Corruption in Post-conflict Reconstruction: Breaking the Vicious Cycle

Zainab’s article looks at the state of post-war reconstruction efforts in Sierra Leone and particularly at various measures to ensure the effectiveness of reconstruction and limitation of corruption. He examines the Ministry of Finance public expenditure reform program attempt at boosting transparency and accountability in its budget formulation and execution. He concludes that despite these efforts, corruption is still rampant throughout the country due to various structural and capacity limitations. Nonetheless, he notes that anti-corruption efforts still represent major progress in the reconstruction of Sierra Leone.

World Bank Governance and Corruption Study – Sierra Leone

This report builds upon the 2000 DFID study into the attempts by the Sierra Leonean government to improve governance, accountability and transparency and to reduce corruption. This report also attempts to shed light on the pervasive and institutional nature of corruption in Sierra Leone and the negative impact that it has had on the potential for growth and development of Sierra Leone.The study concludes by providing several policy recommendations chief among which is the creation of holistic, but interconnected measures for fighting corruption.

Hendrickson, Dylan (2007), The Uganda Defence Review – Learning from Experience, King’s College London, London

This review was conducted to help the country prepare for a transformation in the deliverance and formulation of its defence policy. This was done through a comprehensive security assessment to clarify the requirements of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and its relationship with other security actors. The review also marked the first time that the UK had supported a full review process in another country and further witnessed the delivery of a developmentally sensitive programme of assistance to Uganda’s defence sector. The review has since contributed to a significant increase in debate on and understanding of defence issues in the country and led to the publication of the White Paper in 2004.

Asia & Pacific: "Four Indian Generals in land scam to be tried by court martial"

Europe:"German company Ferrostaal subject of a bribery probe"

Americas: "US halts aid to tainted Colombian spy agency"

Middle East: "Debate over procurement of French jets in Kuwait"

Africa: "Two defence officials convicted in Sierra Leone"

Asia & Pacific: "In Afghan graft fight, US sets sights lower in rank"

Europe & Central Asia: "Hungary new defense minister to fight corruption, improve foreign mission safety"

Americas: "Venezuelan ex-Defence Minister Raul Baudel Jailed"

Middle East & Africa: "Former defence minister of Cameroon arrested over corruption"

Commenting on settlement of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Department of Justice (DoJ) investigations of BAE Systems for foreign bribery today,

Chandrashekhar Krishnan, Executive Director of Transparency International UK said:

“The SFO and DoJ must be congratulated on finally achieving an outcome.  It is important for companies to receive large fines if they have engaged in unethical behaviour.  We hope this settlement will now allow BAE Systems to draw a line under its past and will send a message to UK companies that corruption does not pay.

“When the full details of the settlements are known, it will be clearer whether the penalties are sufficiently high in relation to the seriousness of the offences; whether the company will be subject to debarment from government contracts; whether individuals will be prosecuted and whether an external compliance monitor will be appointed.

“This action, particularly by the DoJ, which has imposed a much larger penalty and has also dealt with the Al Yamamah investigation, also highlights the need for a new Bribery Act in the UK. For a Bribery Act to be successful, sufficient resources for effective enforcement will be crucial in order to deliver faster prosecutions and encourage companies guilty of corrupt practices to admit their guilt and not spend years blocking investigations.”

-ENDS-

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Chandrashekhar Krishnan, Executive Director, 0207 785 6357 or 07816 311070
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or

Robert Barrington, Director of External Affairs, 0207 785 6360 or 07734 744 877 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes to the editor
Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone whose life, livelihood or happiness depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.

Transparency International UK is the UK Chapter of the world's leading non-governmental anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International (TI). With more than 90 Chapters worldwide, and an international secretariat in Berlin, TI has unparalleled global understanding and influence.
• We raise awareness about corruption
• We advocate legal and regulatory reform at national and international levels
• We design practical tools for institutions, individuals and companies wishing to combat corruption
• We act as a leading centre of anti-corruption expertise in the UK.

Asia & Pacific: Four military officers indicted for bribery

Europe: Deal to scrap army tanks leads to bribery trial

Americas: US politicians face inquiry into arms deals

Middle East: OECD: Israel must step up fight against international bribery

Africa: Congo army helps rebels get arms, UN finds

Sung-Goo Kang

Representative Ombudsman at Defence Programme Administration, Korea

March 2009

Sung-Goo Kang is the Representative Ombudsman at the Defence Acquistion Programme Administration (DAPA) in Korea, and Secretary-General of Transparency International Korea. In his role at DAPA, Sung-Goo Kang performs a valuable oversight function in Korean defence acquisitions.

Ambassador Birgitta Nygren

Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden

November 2008

Ambassador Nygren is anti-corruption coordinator for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and sits on the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions. Ambassador Nygren is a member of the Transparency International UK defence against corruption programme strategy group.

Including:

Interview: Ambassador Birgitta Nygren

Asia-Pacific: Japan court jails ex-top defence official over bribes

Europe: OECD report attacks British failure to tackle corporate bribery and corruption

Americas: Pentagon Spending Growth Outpaces Auditors

Middle East: We are losing Taliban battle

Africa: Ringera seeks new powers to fight corruption