This year, Sierra Leone and Liberia enjoyed relatively successful democratic presidential elections. Having previously endured a decade of civil wars that resulted in 300,000 deaths and over 1 million refugees [source], these elections mark a twenty-year-long commitment to democracy.

Key Judgement 1: Over the next 24 months, both countries will likely continue to establish transparent electoral and publicly accountable apparatuses.

Key Judgement 2: It is unlikely that the Sierra Leonean and Liberian elections will have any democratic spillover in neighbouring regions within the next 24 months.

Key Judgement 3: External partners will likely use the Sierra Leonean and Liberian elections as a litmus test for democratic resilience in West Africa.