Why Delaying the MCC Compact for Sierra Leone is Essential for Transparency and Accountability

Amadu Massally is currently chief financial officer for a technology consultancy organization. A U.S.-based Sierra Leonean, Massally played an instrumental role in establishing the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Coordinating Unit in Sierra Leone, as part of the MCC's launch in the West African country. The MCC is a foreign aid agency established by the U.S. Congress in 2004. 

"I am deeply invested in seeing our country prosper through meaningful partnerships with international development agencies.

The MCC’s $480 million compact is a significant opportunity for Sierra Leone to invest in vital infrastructure and services, but the timing and conditions under which this award is going ahead are troubling.

Despite the MCC’s decision to award the compact, the U.S. government has not officially congratulated President Julius Maada Bio following the 2023 elections, a clear signal of concern regarding the electoral process.

Allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities marred the election, leaving many Sierra Leoneans questioning the legitimacy of the outcome.

The failure of the Tripartite Committee compounded these concerns—established to investigate the election—to deliver a clear and conclusive report.

The opposition’s withdrawal from the committee, citing the government’s refusal to release disaggregated polling data, only deepened the crisis of confidence.

While the MCC’s mission is to promote good governance, democratic accountability, and transparency, continuing with this compact without first addressing the unresolved electoral fraud allegations could undermine its core values.

This decision risks sending the wrong message: that governance standards and electoral integrity can be overlooked when economic or geopolitical interests are at stake.

Sierra Leone’s Deepening Ties with China and Russia: A Geopolitical Factor?

There’s no denying that Sierra Leone’s geopolitical engagements have been shifting. In 2024, President Bio visited China, securing a modest financial aid package of $9 million and negotiating various infrastructure projects  (The Sierra Leone Telegraph).


Additionally, Sierra Leone has been increasingly engaging with Russia in sectors such as natural resource management and infrastructure development. These alignments may have played a role in the U.S.'s decision to move forward with the MCC compact despite electoral concerns.

In a time of growing Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, the U.S. may be strategically deploying development aid as a tool to counterbalance this influence, ensuring that Sierra Leone remains within the U.S.'s sphere of influence.

While I understand the geopolitical rationale, we must not let it overshadow the principles of transparency and accountability that are critical to Sierra Leone’s long-term development. If these principles are compromised, the compact will not deliver its promised benefits to the broader population.

Governance Failures and Corruption: The Underlying Risk

Beyond electoral fraud, Sierra Leone faces deeper governance challenges. Corruption remains pervasive, with mismanagement of public funds across sectors such as healthcare, mining, and education (AYV News) (The Sierra Leone Telegraph).

The Africanist Press has documented multiple instances of public resources being siphoned through fraudulent contracts and poorly managed development projects. In 2024 alone, China’s financial aid was met with skepticism as many Sierra Leoneans feared that these funds, like others before them, would end up in the hands of elites rather than benefiting the population (The Sierra Leone Telegraph).

If the MCC funds are released without addressing these governance concerns, there’s a significant risk that the compact will suffer the same fate. Instead of transforming Sierra Leone’s infrastructure and services, the funds may be misused, further entrenching corruption and inequality.

Delaying the Compact: A Call for Transparency and Accountability

I am not advocating for the cancellation of the MCC compact. On the contrary, I believe this funding is vital for Sierra Leone’s future. However, I am urging that the compact be delayed until the necessary reforms are in place to ensure that the funds are used transparently and for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans, not just a select few.

The following steps must be taken before the compact proceeds:

1. An independent audit of the 2023 elections: The electoral process must be reviewed, and the results made public, including disaggregated polling data. Only then can we ensure that future elections will be free and fair.

2. Implementation of electoral reforms: The Sierra Leonean government must commit to reforms that improve transparency, accountability, and the independence of the Electoral Commission. These reforms were recommended by the Tripartite Committee but remain largely unaddressed (AYV News) (The Sierra Leone Telegraph).

3. Stricter governance conditions on the MCC funds: Independent oversight mechanisms must be established to monitor the use of MCC funds, ensuring that they are not misappropriated.

 

The Consequences of Inaction

Without these reforms, the MCC’s investment risks reinforcing the very problems it aims to solve. Corruption will continue to divert resources away from development projects, while electoral fraud will weaken the foundations of Sierra Leone’s democracy. Delaying the compact and setting conditions for reform is not about taking “bread from the table” of Sierra Leoneans, but about ensuring that this bread reaches everyone—especially the most vulnerable.

 

The U.S. and the MCC must uphold the principles of transparency and good governance they champion. Pushing for electoral and governance reforms can help Sierra Leone achieve long-term, sustainable growth rather than short-term gains that benefit only a few.

 

I stand by my conviction that Sierra Leone deserves better. We must not let the allure of quick funds override the need for transparency, accountability, and fairness. Only through these principles can we build a future that benefits all Sierra Leoneans, not just the politically connected."