The Republic of Ireland has sent congratulatory message to Sierra Leone after election into the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“At her farewell call with the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, HE Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Ambassador Buckley congratulated Sierra Leone on its election to the UN Security Council,” Ireland in Sierra Leone twitted.

They said the two leaders discussed issues of gender equality, education and the upcoming elections.

Sierra Leone was elected as one of the five non-permanent members of the UNSC on Tuesday.

This is the first time the West African country will serve in the UNSC after more than 52 years.

President Bio said Sierra Leone’s election to the UNSC is as a result of his government’s effort projecting the country’s image positively.

He commended those that voted in favour of Sierra Leone while affirming that the country is a representative at the Council for all of Africa.

The four other countries that were elected to the UNSC are Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea and Slovenia.

Both Sierra Leone and Algeria polled the highest votes with 188 out of the 192 votes casted.

The new non-permanent members will serve the Security Council from 2024 to 2025.