By Dr. Ibrahim Bangura
I have been closely following the recent parliamentary proceedings on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The issues arising from this process are of considerable national importance, touching our constitutional order, democratic governance, and the strength of the institutions on which our Republic rests. At such a consequential moment, we must proceed with due care, respect for constitutional processes, and a shared commitment to preserving public confidence in our democracy.
I note the Speaker’s decision to refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Section 94(2) of the Constitution for an advisory opinion. Given the significance of the questions at stake, I respectfully urge that this process proceed without unnecessary delay. An authoritative interpretation by the Supreme Court would provide much-needed clarity on the constitutional requirements for amending our supreme law and help guide the country forward.
I also support my party’s position, the All Peoples Congress (APC), that further action on the recently passed constitutional amendment bill should be suspended pending judicial consideration of the issues that have arisen, and that the party should seek appropriate redress before the Supreme Court. In the interests of constitutional order, public confidence, and respect for the rule of law, it would be prudent for all concerned to allow the Court to pronounce on these important constitutional questions before any irreversible steps are taken.
As a nation with a proud commitment to democratic governance, we should approach this period with patience, restraint, and respect for our institutions. Whatever our political differences, our shared responsibility is to ensure that the Constitution remains the foundation for the peaceful, lawful resolution of those differences.
Amendments to our supreme law are not ordinary legislative acts. They can have far-reaching consequences for the character of our governance, the relationship between citizens and the state, and the constitutional inheritance we pass on to future generations. Any alteration of that framework therefore warrants the highest standard of care, meaningful consultation, adherence to due process, and a strong sense of national responsibility.
When questions arise about the process for pursuing fundamental constitutional changes, those concerns deserve careful and transparent attention. Doing so strengthens, rather than weakens, our institutions and helps sustain citizens’ confidence in our democratic system.
In that spirit, I respectfully call upon the President to:
1. Withhold assent while the country awaits the Supreme Court’s interpretation and determination of the constitutional questions that have arisen.
2. Encourage broad stakeholder consultations with the APC, other political stakeholders, civil society organisations, legal experts, and key national actors to build the widest possible consensus on any proposed constitutional changes.
3. Safeguard the sovereign will of the people by ensuring that any final constitutional outcome reflects broad national confidence, constitutional legitimacy, and Sierra Leone’s long-term interests.
To my fellow members of the APC and to all who look to our party for leadership, this is a moment for unity, calm, discipline, and constructive engagement.
Our party is greater than any individual, and the future of Sierra Leone is greater than any political party. We should therefore approach this matter with a spirit that places the national interest above partisan interests. This moment calls for lawful advocacy, principled leadership, and a willingness to engage constructively with all stakeholders to defend our democratic institutions.
The Constitution is the bedrock of our Republic. Any process for amending it must therefore inspire confidence in its legality and legitimacy. Constitutional reform should be approached not as an opportunity for political advantage, but as a solemn national responsibility that demands deliberation, inclusion, and fidelity to the principles on which our democracy rests.
The Supreme Court will, in due course, pronounce on the legal questions before it. Beyond those questions, however, lies a broader responsibility shared by Parliament, the Executive, political parties, civil society, and citizens alike: to ensure that Sierra Leone’s enduring interests remain paramount.
At moments of constitutional significance, our responsibility is not merely to consider what may be possible today, but what will best serve our country tomorrow. Let us therefore proceed with wisdom, restraint, and respect for the institutions of our Republic, so that whatever decisions are ultimately taken will strengthen our democracy, preserve the integrity of our Constitution, and serve the lasting interests of the people of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is the leader of the DIB Movement & Flagbearer Aspirant of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC).
