HRCSL Signs MoU with ONS on Advancing Gender Justice and National Security Governance

March 12, 2026 232News

(232news)

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and the Office of National Security (ONS) on 10th March 2026 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on gender justice, human rights, and national security governance.

The signing of the MoU resonates with the Commission’s mandate to collaborate with partners intervening in the field of human rights in order to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights in Sierra Leone.

Under the MoU, both institutions will collaborate on joint advocacy against sexual and gender-based violence, gender sensitivity training, information sharing, capacity building, and the mainstreaming of human rights and gender perspectives within national security operations.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy National Security Coordinator, Dr. Ahmed A. Sannoh, noted that many of the historical challenges that contributed to Sierra Leone’s civil conflict were linked to the neglect and violation of human rights, stressing the importance of stronger collaboration between HRCSL and security institutions.

The Chairperson of HRCSL, Mrs. Patricia Narsu Ndanema, highlighted that cooperation between the Commission and ONS has already produced positive outcomes, including ONS facilitating the Commission’s visit to Yenga and joint human rights awareness activities during the electoral period.

The MoU establishes a three-year framework for collaboration between the two institutions.