USAID: Liberia FY 2002 Congressional Budget Justification

PROGRAM: Liberia
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Role of Civil Society in Democratic Governance Strengthened, 669-005
STATUS: New
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $600,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $600,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

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 and President Taylor. Individuals who criticize the Government often find themselves threatened, beaten, charged with treason and jailed. The ruling National Patriotic Party has a strong majority in the Legislature, more than 70%, and there is no viable and adequately funded opposition parties 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.

In FY 2001, USAID will provide $600,000 Development Assistance democracy and governance funding. USAID assistance through NGOs will strengthen the capacity of civil society and the media to promote decentralization, and to sensitize the population of their human rights, and their civic responsibilities. Assistance will challenge the present government through civil society strengthening will be critical in developing a culture of tolerance, an informed electorate, viable political parties, and an enabling environment that may positively affect the nature and outcome of Liberia's presidential and general elections in 2003.

In FY 2002, USAID anticipates providing $600,000 Development Assistance democracy and governance funding. USAID assistance through NGOs will strengthen the capacity of civil society and the media to promote decentralization, and to sensitize the population of their human rights, and their civic responsibilities. Assistance will challenge the present government through civil society strengthening will be critical in developing a culture of tolerance, an informed electorate, viable political parties, and an enabling environment that may positively affect the nature and outcome of Liberia's presidential and general elections in 2003.

Key Results: The activities supported under the 1997-2000 transition strategy, Successful Democratic Transition Including Free and Fair Elections, 669-001, facilitated the national dialogue on democracy and governance issues, strengthened the election 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. In response to Brooke sanctions' prohibitions against assistance to the government, USAID proposes to increase and expand support in strengthening civil society's voice and role in local level governance.

Performance and Prospects: There are significant prospects for strengthening the print and electronic media, informing the electorate, promoting decentralization and sensitizing the population about their rights and responsibilities. USAID assistance will take advantage of the narrow political opening that the government has tolerated and will assist Liberia to meet minimal standards of democratic governance to keep the slow pace of momentum from stalling completely.

Possible Adjustment to Plans: In an effort to continue assistance for the civilian population, USAID has developed a new three-year (2001-2003) strategy that will continue programs and activities of the current strategy. There will be, however, a fundamental shift in approach and direction. The strategy will aim to increase the involvement and capacity of local non-governmental organizations in order to help move Liberia closer to a stage where sustainable development can occur. An important result of building this capacity will be the development of civil society's ability to organize itself, to acquire skills and experience in democratic governance at the local level, and to increase its voice in a broader range of civic actions.

Other Donor Programs: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) continues to sponsor Good Governance workshops and seminars for government officials, civil society, and the business community to identify and discuss issues and develop recommendations to be implemented by concerned parties.

Principal Contractors, Grantees and Agencies: Implementing partners include the International Foundation for Election Systems, and the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute, Search for Common Ground, and the American Bar Association.

FY 2002 Performance Tables

U.S. Financing

(In thousands of dollars)

	Obligations		Expenditures		Unliquidated
Through September 30, 1999	0	DA	0	DA	0	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	0	ESF	0	ESF	0	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA	0	FSA
	0	DFA	0	DFA	0	DFA
Fiscal Year 2000	0	DA	0	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD
	0	ESF	0	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA
	0	DFA	0	DFA
Through September 30, 2000	0	DA	0	DA	0	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	0	ESF	0	ESF	0	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA	0	FSA
	0	DFA	0	DFA	0	DFA
Prior Year Unobligated Funds	0	DA
	0	CSD
	0	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	FSA
	0	DFA
Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA	600	DA
	0	CSD
	0	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	FSA
	0	DFA
Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001	600	DA
	0	CSD
	0	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	FSA
	0	DFA
			Future Obligations		Est. Total Cost
Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA	600	DA	0	DA	1,200	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	0	ESF	0	ESF	0	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	FSA	0	FSA	0	FSA
	0	DFA	0	DFA	0	DFA

LIBERIA

Activity Data Sheet

FY 2002 Performance Tables

U.S. Financing