Sierra Leone Special Court Reports $50 Million Shortfall

The financing of international organizations is a complex question, but one thing is fairly predictable. Nations are less likely to make “voluntary” as opposed to “mandatory” contributions to international organizations. The Sierra Leone Special Court for War Crimes is discovering this reality the hard way, as the President of the Court reported to the U.N. Security Council this week. In testimony before the U.N. Security Council the President of the Court reported that the Special Court had received only $54.9 million in voluntary contributions whereas it had budgeted over $100 million for its four years of operation. The General Assembly and member states are being asked to pony up the difference.