Having just been established, the IRM has not yet received any complaints or requests, so its effectiveness has not been tested. However, based on experience with accountability mechanisms at other IFIs, the IRM may prove to be a useful tool for shedding light on problems, and exposing AfDB’s policy compliance failures – both in the context of a specific project and more generally. Through the mediation function or the compliance review recommendations, the IRM may also help ensure that concerns are addressed and that the project’s problems are fixed. But the experience with other IFI accountability mechanisms is mixed at best in this area. Since the first line of action for the CRMU is a mediation process – and since the project usually continues regardless of a complaint having been submitted – the IRM may not be the most useful tool if the goal is to stop a project.