Sierra Leone’s anti-graft campaign faces obstacles

Significance

The recently released Auditor General’s 2019 report was unable to account for almost seven times more than the amount the ACC has recovered since July 2018. Meanwhile, a deadline for the repayment or appeals laid out in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) white paper has passed.

Impacts

• With COVID-19 cases rising, the government is likely to reintroduce some movement restrictions.
• The recent successful holding of a by-election and re-run could improve opposition confidence in the electoral commission and its new chair.
• Ties between Sierra Leone and Turkey are set to grow further following the recent signing of new bilateral agreements.