As part of its continued support to the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding provided by the UN Peacebuilding Fund (UN PBF) has handed 19 laptop computers, 57 tablets, 10 mobile phones, and other ICT materials and office furniture to the Office of National Security (ONS) in Freetown ahead of the country’s 2023 general elections, March 2, 2023.

In his statement, the Deputy National Security Coordinator, of the Office of National Security, Dr. Ahmed A. Sannoh, noted the donation will help a quick response to early warnings and strengthen the ONS’ early conflict prevention mechanisms to collect, collate, and analyze security information from the field and respond to incidents in coordination with other national institutions.  

The gesture is part of the UNDP/UNICEF UNPBF Project entitled: Promote the creation of an enabling environment for the conduct of peaceful elections and the strengthening of social cohesion in Sierra Leone, which aims to support national electoral institutions to conduct a peaceful general election in 2023.

“The equipment will also promote the operations of the ONS Situation Room and support the work of the Integrated Elections Security Planning Committee, which has proven to be a solid conflict prevention mechanism in Sierra Leone,” said UNDP’s Resident Representative, Pa Lamin Beyai. 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.