The Office of National Security (ONS) concluded a series of regional consultative workshops across Sierra Leone on July 29, 2026. This date marked the culmination of a nationwide exercise focused on election security preparations for the 2028 general elections. The consultations encompassed the Southern, Eastern, Northern, North-Western, and Western Area regions, gathering input from various stakeholders. The workshops aimed to enhance strategies and coordination for ensuring a secure electoral process. Specifically, the workshops aimed to identify baseline political risks and security threats that could affect Sierra Leone’s 2028 General Elections, thereby laying the groundwork for full security planning and proactive mitigation efforts. This extensive engagement across diverse geographical areas showed the ONS's commitment to a holistic and inclusive approach to electoral security.
Workshop Details and Scope
The regional consultations commenced with a workshop in Bo on July 21, bringing together participants from the Southern and Eastern regions of Sierra Leone. This initial gathering set the tone for the subsequent sessions, allowing for focused discussions relevant to the specific dynamics of these areas. A subsequent workshop took place in Makeni on July 23, hosting representatives from the Northern and North-Western regions. This session addressed the unique security considerations pertinent to these parts of the country, fostering a platform for localized input. The final session was conducted in Waterloo on July 24, involving stakeholders from both Western Area Rural and Western Area Urban. The choice of these locations ensured that perspectives from across the entire national landscape were adequately represented and integrated into the consultative process.
These workshops included a broad spectrum of participants, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of election security. Representatives from political parties, security institutions, election management bodies, and civil society organizations were present. This diverse participation ensured that a wide range of viewpoints and expertise contributed to the discussions. Traditional and religious leaders, women's organizations, youth groups, and persons with disabilities also contributed to the discussions, noting the ONS's commitment to inclusive engagement. Their involvement was key for understanding the grassroots perspectives and community-level concerns related to electoral processes. Media practitioners were among the attendees, ensuring diverse perspectives were considered and facilitating transparency in the proceedings. During these gatherings, goodwill messages were delivered by representatives from key national institutions, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the initiative. Officials from the Sierra Leone Police, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, and the Political Parties Regulation Commission addressed the participants, emphasizing their commitment to the electoral process and their readiness to collaborate on security matters. These messages served to show the unified national effort required to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The consultative process sought to promote inclusive dialogue and strengthen early warning systems related to election security. This initiative aimed to foster a collaborative environment where diverse stakeholders could contribute to identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies for the upcoming 2028 general elections. By bringing together various actors, the ONS facilitated a full assessment of potential vulnerabilities and the formulation of strong preventative measures. The discussions focused on proactive strategies to address challenges before they escalate, thereby contributing to a more stable electoral environment.
The findings derived from these workshops are expected to provide key baseline data to support national preparedness efforts and improve coordination among the various institutions responsible for election security. This data will be instrumental in informing policy decisions and operational planning, ensuring that security measures are evidence-based and effectively targeted. Such information is vital for crafting informed policies and operational plans that address specific regional concerns and national security imperatives. The systematic collection and analysis of this data will enable a more nuanced understanding of the security landscape, leading to more effective and responsive interventions.
The Office of National Security (ONS) believes the consultative process has laid a strong foundation for proactive risk management and enhanced cooperation among key actors. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure a more secure and credible electoral cycle in 2028 by fostering shared responsibility and coordinated action across government agencies, civil society, and local communities. The ONS stated that the insights gained would be instrumental in shaping future security protocols and developing a full national election security strategy. This strategy will aim to integrate the collective wisdom and concerns raised during the consultations into actionable plans, ultimately strengthening the democratic process in Sierra Leone.
Context and Future Preparedness
The workshops were designed to identify baseline political risks and security threats that could affect Sierra Leone’s 2028 General Elections. This forward-looking approach is critical given the complexities often associated with national elections. The 2028 General Elections are less than two years away, prompting early engagement on security matters to ensure ample time for planning and implementation. Chief of Staff of the Office of National Security, Francis Langumba Keili, emphasized the necessity of these proactive measures, noting the lessons learned from past electoral cycles.
"Previous elections in Sierra Leone had often been characterized by political violence and heightened political polarization, making it imperative for stakeholders to work collectively in identifying and mitigating potential risks well before the commencement of the 2028 electoral process," Keili stated. This context shows the workshops' focus on preemptive risk assessment and collaborative solutions to ensure a more secure electoral environment. The process seeks to build a framework for addressing security challenges ahead of the upcoming polls, moving beyond reactive responses to a more strategic and preventive posture. This full framework will aim to safeguard the electoral process from various threats, ensuring that citizens can participate freely and securely.