Human Rights Watch says corruption within both the public and private sectors in Sierra Leone is endemic.

“It permeates all levels of government and most business transactions. Scandals involving the looting of state coffers and development aid are commonplace.

Even though the situation has recently improved, a large percentage of Sierra Leone’s diamonds are still thought to be traded illegally, depriving the Sierra Leone government of much needed revenue to support public services”, a HRW report states. The report also alleges that, “Petty corruption, extortion, and bribe taking, particularly by police officers or low ranking officials, is rampant. Money has to change hands in order to secure entrance for children into a public school, receive treatment in a public clinic, obtain a permit, authorization, or letter from a ministry, or even file a police report”. The report says corruption has historically bought the support of both the police and the army, making them subject to political interference and undermining their duty to protect.

Personal gain through corruption remains the primary motivation for those entering the civil service. The report further states that, “The efforts of those seeking redress through the legal system are often frustrated by corruption within the very system designed to combat it.”

Largely in response to public pressure, and supported by the international community, the government in 2000 created the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), vested with the powers to investigates, subpoena, and arrest persons alleged to be involved in corrupt practices.

The ACC is largely funded by the U.K’s Department International Development (DFID) and British nationals fill three key posts. During 2000 and 2001, the ACC was involved in several high profile cases resulting in the conviction of a high court judge for accepting bribes from a former agriculture minister, the arrest and trial of the then commissioner of income tax for soliciting a bribe, the arrest of a prominent businessman attempting to bribe the minister of trade and industry, and the arrest of then transport and communication minister and his wife for illicit mining and smuggling of diamonds.

“While these are encouraging signs, a number of cases, several involving key politicians, have yet to be brought to court. It is incumbent upon Sierra Leone’s president to see to it that the ACC is able to fulfill its mandate without political interference. Human Rights Watch urges the international community to take every opportunity to both privately and publicly underscore the importance of an effective ACC, and to address the continuing problem of corruption within the Sierra Leonean government”, the report concludes.

Concord Times (Freetown), July 16, 2002