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Government–donor relations in Sierra Leone: who is in the driving seat?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2020

David Harris  and
Felix Marco Conteh
David Harris*
Affiliation:
University of Bradford, BradfordBD7 1DP, UK
Felix Marco Conteh*
Affiliation:
Independent Researcher, Freetown
*
Email: d.harris7@bradford.ac.uk
Email: 288279@alumni.soas.ac.uk
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Abstract

Since the cessation of conflict in 2002, Sierra Leone has experienced extraordinary levels of involvement from Western donors. Paradoxically, while relationships are often portrayed on the ground as strong with significant donor influence, our research shows considerable fluidity in individual and institutional relationships. The article disaggregates donor–government relations at various levels over a short but crucial period, 2010–16, asking in each case who occupies the driving seat. In so doing, the article interrogates the concept of ‘extraversion’, investigating to what extent government – and indeed donors – has space in which to manoeuvre and how and why government and donors act as they do in this space. The period 2010–16 is of particular interest due to extreme iron ore price volatility and the Ebola epidemic of 2014–15. The article adds much-needed critique and empirical evidence to the debate on donor influence and ‘extraversion’.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 58 , Issue 1 , March 2020 , pp. 45 - 65
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

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Footnotes

The authors would like to thank the many interviewees for their time and frankness, and the peer reviewers and Julia Gallagher in particular for their judicious comments.

References

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