By Janet Sesay
Civil Society Organizations, including national and international Non-Governmental organizations, that have contributed to Sierra Leone’s development and provided critical assistance during humanitarian crisis, have yesterday expressed their disappointment with the Development Cooperation Framework, a document submitted to the cabinet of government last year December for further ratification by Parliament.
This disclosure was made to press men at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists headquarters, Campbell Street in Freetown.
The Country Director for International Rescue Committee, Saffea Senesi, told newsmen that they are seriously concerned that the Development Cooperation Framework document will impose severe restrictions to them as organizations and will impinge on the exercise of their right to freedom of expression and freedom of association, which are guaranteed under international human right law.
He furthered that President Bio, during his speech at the State Opening of Parliament, had described Civil Society Organizations as a bedrock of modern governance and asked them to help him deliver on his mandate.
The IRC Country Director noted that the Development Cooperation Framework document has got the potential to constrain and contract civil society space in the country, thus compromising and weakening the vital work of national and international NGOs.
Michaela Samba Sesay, Executive Director of Campaign for Good Governance, stated that they are disappointed with the nature of the consultation process that was carried out to review the Development Cooperation Framework. She noted that the process could have been significantly more robust, inclusive and transparent if it had not denied the involvement of many Civil Society Organizations across the country. She called on government to create way for them to work in that free spirit.
Marcela disclosed that the spirit behind their dissatisfaction is based on the grounds that that they have their right as organizations in advocating for good governance. She called on President Bio and his government to understand what it means to work with local and international organizations and called on them to have an open discussion with them concerning the document.
She noted that they are concerned over a number of clauses in the Development Cooperation Framework and noted that some involved a mandatory administrative structure that stipulates that 70% of all donor funds, to an NGO, must be directed to target beneficiaries and 30% towards administrative costs. This, according to her, implies that the administrative structure cannot feasibly be applied to all projects.
On the mandatory signing of Service Level Agreement with sector ministries, she noted that, this clause raises concerns about the content of these agreements and requires NGOs to conform only to government activities and plans which may not allow projects relating to policy or advocacy.
Ibrahim Tommy, Executive Director for Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, noted that the document does more harm to the country if they allow it to pass through Parliament.
Mr. Tommy noted that the passage of this document will make it impossible for them to work and will also create operation barriers for NGOs. He furthered that the reason for their position, as NGOs, is based on the grounds that the government of Sierra Leone is obligated to ensure that citizens participate in governance for sustainable development.
He urged the President and his team to take a second look at this policy because it has several issues they are not happy with and urged them to re-open dialogue on this document.