USAID: Liberia FY 2002 Congressional Budget Justification

PROGRAM: Liberia
TITLE AND NUMBER: Successful Democratic Transition Including Free and Fair Elections, 669-001
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $0
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $0
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2000

Summary: After seven years of civil war, 1990 to 1996, Liberia successfully conducted presidential and general elections in 1997. Given its history of military/dictatorial rule over most of the past 20 years, Liberia faces substantial challenges in institutionalizing its democracy. The country does not have a tradition of political tolerance, clear separation of powers among the three branches of government, respect for the rights of the individual, independent political parties, or an informed and active electorate. The Government of President Charles Taylor, which assumed the Presidency in August 1997, has exhibited all of the weaknesses emerging from Liberia's past experience. The Executive Branch has exerted significant influence over the Judiciary and Legislative Branches of government. The Executive Branch has not been tolerant of real opposition and direct criticism of the Government or President Taylor. Those who criticize the Government have either been forced to leave the country, harassed, threatened, and/or faced with possible treason charges. The ruling National Patriotic Party has a strong majority in the Legislature, more than 70%, and there is no viable and adequately funded opposition party that could effectively challenge the Government. Government expenditures are not transparent and the Executive Branch continues to have access to substantial off-budget resources. The Human Rights Commission is not operational and the Elections Commission is chronically under-funded and unable to effectively carryout its duties of organizing and overseeing local and national elections. Both the Judiciary and the Legislature suffer from inadequate funds, and untrained and poorly educated staff and members.

Key Results: The results achieved under this strategic objective include: (1) assistance to Liberia in conducting free and transparent presidential and general elections in July 1997; (2) the Independent Election Committee succeeded in running a national election; (3) the provision of vital assistance to over 20 local NGOs on the election process; (4) the Elections Commission carried out a successful voter registration program and held by-elections in Lofa County in May 1998; (5) USAID supported two independent and objective news radio stations (Radio Veritas and Star Radio); (6) USAID sponsored a successful high-level roundtable discussion on the relationship between the media and security institutions; and (7) USAID sponsored a national seminar on the Liberian Economy and the way forward.

Performance and Prospects: The activities supported under this Strategic Objective have facilitated the national dialogue on democracy and governance issues, strengthened the elections process, helped to inform the electorate, and improved local capacity to monitor human rights incidents. The need for continued democracy and governance work is critical. USAID plans to close out the SO but will continue to support civil society's voice and civil society strengthening more generally.

Possible Adjustment to Plans: This Strategic Objective ended in September 2000. There are therefore no anticipated adjustments planned.

Other Donor Programs: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in collaboration with the Office of the Director General of the President's Cabinet, sponsors a series of Good Governance workshops and seminars for government officials, civil society, and the business community to identify and discuss good governance issues and develop recommendations to be implemented by concerned parties.

Principal Contractors, Grantees and Agencies: Implementing partners include the U.S. Department of Justice, International Foundation for Election Systems, the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute.

FY 2002 Performance Tables

U.S. Financing

(In thousands of dollars)

	Obligations		Expenditures		Unliquidated
Through September 30, 1999	8,124	DA	6,824	DA	1,300	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	1,705	ESF	1,481	ESF	224	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA	0	FSA
	1,802	DFA	841	DFA	961	DFA
Fiscal Year 2000	280	DA	1,300	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD
	0	ESF	224	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA
	0	DFA	961	DFA
Through September 30, 2000	8,404	DA	8,124	DA	280	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	1,705	ESF	1,705	ESF	0	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA	0	FSA
	1,802	DFA	1,802	DFA	0	DFA
Prior Year Unobligated Funds	1,000	DA
	0	CSD
	0	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	FSA
	0	DFA
Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA	0	DA
	0	CSD
	0	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	FSA
	0	DFA
Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001	0	DA
	0	CSD
	0	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	FSA
	0	DFA
			Future Obligations		Est. Total Cost
Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA	0	DA	0	DA	8,404	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	0	ESF	0	ESF	1,705	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA	0	FSA
	0	DFA	0	DFA	1,802	DFA

LIBERIA

Activity Data Sheet

FY 2002 Performance Tables

U.S. Financing