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Findings on Governance in Sierra Leone

Many people raised concerns over governance in Sierra Leone during interviews. The needs and problems faced by different governing sectors were discussed. Overall, the government is regarded as lacking the capacity to implement its own laws and Constitution.

This incapacity seemed to stem from several different factors within the government, including limited analytical expertise, a lack of long- or short-term vision, a tendency to administrate rather than motivate or mobilize, and a need for money.

The most commonly cited concerns regarding Parliament related to the capabilities

From left to right: Laura, Min, Talia, Sandy, Mary.

of members. Despite the need for legal reform, there are actually few Sierra Leoneans who are capable of drafting laws. One Parliamentarian noted that the drafting abilities needed to write new legislation are simply not available in Sierra Leone. Furthermore, the complexity of legal instruments is another hurdle for some members of Parliament. For example,

transposing the obligations of ratified treaties into national laws is a task that has yet to be accomplished. Nevertheless, one elected official noted that some of her colleagues have difficulty even understanding basic human rights documents and acknowledged that the language needs to be simplified for greater comprehension. Members of Parliament also

need further training on how to work effectively with civil society. Finally, it seems that a general lack of political resolve affects Parliament’s capacity as a lawmaking body. One individual felt that Parliament not only engaged in very little debate, but was also extremely deferential to the President.

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Overdue Reports

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