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.