Western governments are helping Sierra Leone pay for its upcoming local government elections due on July 5, the UN Development Programme has announced.
In a statement, the UNDP office here said a major contribution to the “election basket fund” came from Britain with 5.5 million pounds (7.2 million euros / 11 million dollars).
In addition to these funds from the former colonial power, the European Union has come up with 3.7 million euros and Irish Aid with 1.5 million euros and an additional 1.5 million euros pledged.
The Norwegian government offered 500,000 dollars and Japan has carried over an unspent contribution from 2007 of 700,000 dollars towards the acquisition of a new warehouse for the National Electoral Commission, the statement said.
The government of Sierra Leone, still emerging from one of Africa’s most brutal civil wars between 1991 and 2001, is contributing 3,293,517 dollars (2,146,663 euros) towards the election.
UNDP Country Director Bernard Mokam said, “the UNDP and the UN family are grateful for the commitments so far of the donors to this important democratic process.”
“The local council elections are critical to the stability and future of Sierra Leone and we urge our partners to continue to support this national effort to consolidate peace in the country,” he added.
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