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The Office of National Security(ONS) has in a press release issued on wednesday 21st June 2023 Expresses Concern over the recent surge in violence across various regions of Sierra Leone, prompting its deep concern.
The ONS warns that these incidents of violence could pose significant challenges to the peaceful atmosphere required for the upcoming free, fair, and credible elections.
Of particular concern to the ONS is the recent burning down of the All People’s Congress Party office in Bo. While the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, the ONS emphasizes the urgency of swift action and urges the SLP to expedite the investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.
The ONS strongly condemns the reported case of arson in Bo and is deeply troubled by individuals who take the law into their own hands. In addition, the ONS calls on all political parties and groups to assume full responsibility for the actions of their supporters. They specifically emphasize the need to discourage violence, unauthorized assemblies, and the dissemination of inciteful messages and speeches.
Assuring the public, the ONS declares that the Government of Sierra Leone remains fully committed to ensuring a secure and safe environment for the upcoming multi-tier elections scheduled for June 24, 2023. To this end, the government has implemented an Elections Security Preparedness Plan across the entire country.
As part of its mandate to enhance national security, the ONS announces the establishment of the National Situation Room (NSR).The NSR serves as a central hub for collecting, collating, analyzing, and processing security information and intelligence, facilitating early warning and early response mechanisms.
Operating around the clock, the NSR is accessible to the public via a toll-free line (119) on all mobile service networks throughout Sierra Leone.
