The Mano River Institute for Strategic Studies (MRISS), through its Founder and Executive Director, George Tenessee Nimely, is calling for diversification and self-reliance in response to the recent suspension of USAID assistance to the Mano River Union (MRU) Countries.
While acknowledging the significant challenges posed by the aid suspension, MRISS recognizes the opportunities for the MRU countries to diversify their funding sources and promote self-reliance.
Each MRU country has responded uniquely, reflecting its development priorities and challenges.
According to the Country-Specific Responses, Liberia has launched an initiative to mobilize domestic resources, including increasing tax revenue and improving public financial management and Sierra Leone has prioritized private sector development, including investing in infrastructure and promoting access to finance while Guinea has focused on strengthening its institutional capacity, while Côte d’Ivoire has emphasized the importance of regional integration in promoting self-reliance.
Accordingly, regarding common themes and opportunities, MRISS believes that despite the country-specific responses, several common themes and opportunities have emerged.
The MRU countries have recognized the need to diversify their funding sources, reduce their dependence on external aid, and promote self-reliance.
They have also emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional capacity, mobilizing domestic resources, and promoting private sector development.
Meanwhile, recommendations are to support the MRU countries’ efforts to diversify their funding sources and promote self-reliance.
MRISS’ recommendations are to strengthen Domestic Resource Mobilization: Prioritize domestic resource mobilization, including increasing tax revenue, improving public financial management, and leveraging private sector investment.
In terms of promoting private sector development, it was recommended that prioritized private sector development include investing in infrastructure, promoting access to finance, and developing the skills of the workforce.
Also, strengthening regional institutions and promoting trade and economic cooperation to foster regional integration and promote self-reliance relate to fostering regional integration and the development of a Regional Development Plan that outlines priorities and strategies for promoting economic development and reducing poverty.
The MRISS further proposed that in order to continuously engage with international partners, there must be alternatives to explore funding opportunities and to leverage technical assistance and expertise.
However, by implementing these recommendations, the MRU countries can reduce their dependence on external aid and promote sustainable economic development.
MRISS will continue to monitor the MRU countries’ response to the aid suspension and provide policy recommendations to support their efforts to promote self-reliance and sustainable development.
