workshop presentation. final
TRANSCRIPT
CONSTITUTION, 1991
President (Head of State &
Commander in Chief)
Judiciary (Nominated by President)
Cabinet (29)
Minister of Local Government
Local Councils (19)
Ward Committees
Chiefdom Councils
Provincial Coordinating Committees
Local Govt Dept MoF
Attorney General/Minister of
Justice
Parliament (Total 124)
Vice President
ELECTORATE
Every 5 years
Every 4 years
Paramount Chiefs (149)
Every 5 years
Chiefs (12)
On death or resignation of sitting Chief 1/20 Taxpayers
Power Structure of Sierra Leone
3
Ethnic Map of Sierra Leone
35
31
8
7
5
3
3
3
5
% of Population
Other
Susu
Koranko
Sherbo
Creole
Kono
Limba
Mende
Temne
4
Impact of CSO in Sierra Leone
2009
• Women's and human rights groups secure legislation that bans domestic violence and extends women the right to inherit property
• CSOs secure victory from Government who agree to Establish ‘Budget Oversight Committees’ and a more transparent budget process
2008
• Govt, after intensive lobbying and information sharing by CSO included civil society into Poverty Reduction Strategy Program
• Women's group demonstrate in solidarity of UN peacekeeper hostage event
Pre 2007
• As independent arbitrators CSO secure agreement on new electoral system• In depth consultations take place with CSO for new Local Government Act• CSO participate in Lome negotiations
Since end of conflict
• Institutions established include; Anti Corruption Commission, Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Social Action, National Youth Commission, National Action for Social Security and Insurance Trust, National Public Procurement Policy
5
Impact of CSO in Sierra Leone
2013• Ten year struggle by CSO for State transparency results in Right to Access Information Act• Commitment by President to reserve 30% of parliamentary seats for women• Gender Equality Bill in Committee stage
2012
• Action for Just Mining campaign gains international traction resulting in a change in the extractive industry tax regime
• CSOs involved in drafting of new Sexual Offences Bill• Code of Conduct Monitoring Committees established by CSOs in partnership with the political parties
2011• Human Rights Commission holds first public meetings against the State• Public outcry over arrest of prominent journalists leads to charges being dropped
2010
• Non aligned media groups secure agreement for and independence of the new SL Broadcasting Company
• HIV laws on transmission reformed
6
Civil Society Report Card – 24 IntervieweesGrade Trend
Independence from Government CFreedom of Assembly, Association & Expression CDemocratic Government and Institutions CFunding Availability DCapacity CUtilitarianism BVolunteerism CStrategic Focus ELeadership Pathways DCitizens Participation C
7
SL Economic Indices US$2012 2013 2014 2015
GDP $3.78 Billion $4.92 Billion $5.18 Billion $4.21 Billion (Est)
GDP per person $590 $679 $720 $621 (Est)
GDP Real Growth Rate 15.2% 20.1% 6.0% - 12.8% (Est)
CPI Inflation 13.8% 9.8% 8.3% 7.1%
Interest Rate (MPR) 13.2% 12.0% 10.0% 9.5%
Exports $1.1 Billion $1.9 Billion $2.2 Billion $1.3 Billion (Est)
W.B. ‘Doing Business’ Ranking
141 out of 183 140 out of 185 142 out of 189 140 out of 189
8
Taxes and Source of Revenue - US$Year Total
Domestic Tax Take
Foreign Grants
% of Tax to Grants
Income Tax % to Total
Goods and Services Tax % to Total
Customs % to Total
Mines % to Total
Roads % to Total
Other % to Total
2009 $750 M $500 M 60% 28% 0% 56% 3% 6% 6%
2010 $1,000 M $543 M 65% 30% 24% 32% 2% 5% 5%
2011 $1,462 M $708 M 67% 32% 24% 23% 14% 2% 5%
2012 $1,940 M $552 M 78% 40% 22% 17% 15% 1% 4%
2013 $2,066 M $613 M 77% 39% 24% 21% 9% 2% 4%
9
Economic Map
10
Local Government Act 2004
• Councils scrapped in 1972 during one party rule• Centralization was one of root causes of war• Devolution of 80 functions from 17 MDAs to 19 Councils• Before act Chiefs were only link to centre • Local Councils – ‘highest political authority in jurisdiction’• Revenue generation still weak - less than 50% of service delivery• ¼ of health national budget sent to Councils• Tensions continue between Councils and Chiefs on tax collection & allocation
11
What Has Been Devolved to LGHealth Sector Food Sector Education Sector WATSAN Sector Protection Sector
Public Health
Information and
Education.
Primary Health care.
Secondary Health care.
Drug Control and
Prevention program.
Crops Division.
Tree and Cash
crop nurseries.
Seed
production/multi
plication.
District Education
Schools.
Primary to mid-
Secondary schools
– JSS III.
SALWACO – Water
supply: Rural water
supply to be run at cost,
not for profit.
Community ownership
of wells.
Bulk supply of water.
Sanitation.
Family Case Work.
Child Welfare.
Gender
issues.
Youth affairs.
12
Agenda for Prosperity (A4P) • SL Poverty Reduction Strategy 2013 – 2018
• SL Gov. 2nd poverty reduction plan• Impressive growth pre Ebola• By 2035 - “Sierra Leone aspires to be an
inclusive, green, middle-income country”• 80% over poverty line. 90% literacy. 5%
unemployment. • Gov. recovery plan focused on A4P back on
track• Unanimous donor support for A4P • Projects should enhance or support A4P
outcomes• Be aware of religious, ethnic and political
environ• Proof project objectives against document
13
Parl 2002 Pres 2002 Parl 2007 Pres 2007 Parl 2012 Pres 20120%
1000%
2000%
3000%
4000%
5000%
6000%
7000%
8000%
9000%
10000% Party Support in Sierra Leone 2002 - 2012
14
‘Big Two’ Support2012 Parliament Elections Support MPs of Sierra Leone 2015
Red – Majority APC votersYellow – Majority SLPP voters
SLPP 42
APC 70
Chiefs 12
15
Trends since 2012 Elections
APC• in Bye Elections support• Centralisation of Pres in Party• Increasing involvement in
‘independent’ state supported bodies – e.g. SLFA, IMC, ACC
• Consolidation of power in security services & Judiciary
• Assertive and confident
SLPP
• in Bye Elections support• Difficulty in attracting candidates• Destructive leadership struggle• ‘White Knight’ in Dr Kandeh
Yumkella • Lack of comms strategy• Weak, disillusioned & wounded
16
Ref on Term Limits
Increased Support with Limba
Separation of Powers Narrowing?
Ministers at his Whim
Ebola Response Shows Leadership
Political Outlook to 2022
President Koroma/APC could be in power for some time…..
17
About The Chiefs And Their Power• Not hereditary positions• Chiefs elected term is for life• From 5k to 80k population in chiefdoms• Elections happen upon death or resignation• Suffrage for Chief elections = 1/20
taxpayers• Only ‘Ruling Families’ can stand for election• Influential in votes delivery for President
and Parliament elections• 2009 Chiefs Act – less autonomy• Role as community ‘gatekeepers’• Politics in SL is complex – move cautiously!
If you are not sure – ask national staff!
!
18
Constitutional Review Committee
Infrastructure projects highly visible
Donor pledges positive
Ebola not exploited by Opp
Enhanced regional Co-op
Army up skilled, professional and adequately equipped
China as investors
Vibrant (but mixed quality) print and radio media
SLBC - more neutral
Predictable electoral outcomes
Extremely polarized electorate – getting worseOver 60 Const. 70%+ APC or SLPP. 30 are 80%+!!Constitution - too much power in PresidentNo peace or recon process Capacity & allegiance of PoliceElectoral system excludes minorities Inadequate separation of powersPerception of Gov. ‘areas’ better fundedRural area – minimal ‘social contract’One small mercantile class400k young unemployed men
Grow
th &
Sta
bilit
y
Civil Unrest
Sierra Leone – A Very Fragile State?
Term Time Ref
SC rules against VP
Food Prices
Decentralization accelerates and growth resumes
19
Observations, Comments or Questions?