Democracy Denied: Why the MCC Compact for Sierra Leone Fails Its Own Standards


The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) decided to give Sierra Leone a compact in 2023, even though the country failed important tests on Democratic Rights and Civil Liberties. This is controversial because there were irregularities in their elections, writes Amadu Massally. Read on...


Historically, the MCC has been strict about these areas, considering them as "hard hurdles" that countries must pass to be eligible for a compact.

If a country fails these tests, it typically doesn't qualify for the compact, as these indicators show the country's commitment to good governance and transparency.


The Democratic Rights "Hard Hurdle"


To understand why Sierra Leone shouldn't have been eligible due to election irregularities, we need to look at the Democratic Rights "hard hurdle," which has two main indicators:


1. Political Rights

2. Civil Liberties


A country must pass at least one of these indicators. If not, it fails the scorecard, no matter how it performs in other areas. This test is very strict because it shows the MCC’s commitment to work with countries that uphold basic democratic values.

Failing both indicators shows a serious lack of democratic governance, often tied to problems like election fraud, lack of transparency, or abuses of civil rights.


Election Irregularities and the MCC Scorecard


For Sierra Leone, the 2023 elections had serious integrity issues, which should have disqualified the country.

Domestic and international observers, including U.S. Senators Chris Coons, Lindsey Graham and Jim Risch (the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), raised concerns.

They jointly questioned the MCC's decision and asked how Sierra Leone could be considered for the compact given the significant governance concerns.


Their letter to Alice Albright, chief executive officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation,  raised doubts about Sierra Leone’s compliance with MCC’s standards, particularly the Democratic Rights "hard hurdle".


In Sierra Leone, the 2023 election had irregularities, which brought these key democratic rights into question:


• Political Rights: If the election was considered unfree or unfair, this impacts Sierra Leone’s score on the Political Rights indicator. A flawed election undermines citizens' fundamental right to choose their leaders transparently and fairly.

• Civil Liberties: If the election irregularities involved restrictions on freedom of expression, association, or press freedoms—common in manipulated elections—this would negatively affect the Civil Liberties score. Such actions weaken the democratic environment.


Given these issues, it's likely Sierra Leone didn't pass either the Political Rights or Civil Liberties indicators. According to the MCC, failing both indicators means automatic disqualification, indicating the country doesn't meet the minimum bar for democratic rights.


The Control of Corruption "Hard Hurdle"


Besides Democratic Rights, the Control of Corruption "hard hurdle" is another mandatory requirement. If a country fails this, it automatically fails the scorecard. Corruption undermines governance and fair elections, making it relevant to election irregularities.


Given the widespread corruption and lack of transparency during the 2023 election, it is likely Sierra Leone also failed this indicator. The MCC requires effective control of corruption to ensure its funds are used transparently and for the public good.


The MCC's Inconsistency


If Sierra Leone did not pass the Democratic Rights or Control of Corruption hurdles, it should not have been eligible for the MCC Compact according to the scorecard's rules. Awarding the compact despite these failures suggests the MCC violated its own standards, especially its emphasis on democratic governance.


Conclusion


Due to the election irregularities, Sierra Leone's failure to pass the Democratic Rights hard hurdle, and likely non-compliance with the Control of Corruption indicator, the country would normally be disqualified from receiving an MCC Compact. The MCC's decision to proceed raises concerns about its commitment to upholding democratic governance as a condition for development aid.


This suggests the MCC made an exception for Sierra Leone, even though it did not meet the mandatory requirements the MCC considers essential for eligibility.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ebola: The More We Learn, the More We Realize How Much We Don't Know

Image
Alex Bonapha, chairman, Kailahun District Council O bservers say the controversy erupting in Kailahun over the case of a dead baby might just open up critical questions on the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. "While the child appears to be at the center of this controversy, the real question being raised here is the mode of transmission: Is this virus transmitted or transfused?" asks Chernor Bah, chairman of the African Socialist Movement of Sierra Leone. Bah thinks “we need to listen to Mr. Bonapha's concerns.” A lex Bonapha is chairman of Kailahun District Council. In a tersely worded statement sent out Saturday, Bonapha said: "We are strongly contesting the validity of the one case today in Kailahun.  A young child of 9 months, fell ill and was hospitalised at the Nixon Memorial Hospital in Segbwema. They requested blood transfusion and a donor offered his blood. Eventually the child died and a swab was collected to verify the cause of death. It is this
Read more

28 Years Since the Death of Salami Coker

In words that echoed around the world, a commission of inquiry in Sierra Leone held the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) responsible for extrajudicial killings in1992. The junta's attempt to justify these executions retrospectively by decree, on the basis that the 26 people were alleged coup plotters, was an unlawful abuse of executive power, the commission said. In particular, the Commission found that the deputy chairman of the NPRC, Solomon A.J. Musa, was personally responsible for acts of torture on detainees. They called the executions a flagrant violation of international standards.   Among those executed on December 29, 1992, were: Lt. Col James Yaya Kanu, former commanding officer of the 4th Battalion James Bambay Kamara, former Inspector General of Police Corporal Mohammed Mansaray, alias Candapa of the 1st Battalion Warrant Officer Class 1 Kargbo, alias Fernando of the 1st Battalion headquarters Lieutenant colonel (Rtd.) Kahota M.S. Dumbuya, Army Headquarters.
Read more