By Kemo Cham
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio on Sunday made a last-ditch effort to convince lawmakers to approve a piece of legislation designed to amended key provisions in the country’s constitution.
The Constitution of Sierra Leone Amendment Bill 2025 has been under deliberation before lawmakers for nearly two weeks as they debate on its contents. The House of Assembly is expected to vote on the document on Monday, August 10.
In a statement delivered Sunday morning, President Bio urged lawmakers to look beyond partisan politics and approve the legislation he believes will advance the country’s democratic journey.
“The Bill before Parliament is the product of years of consultation and engagement,” he stated in the televised address on state broadcaster, SLBC. “It reflects the contributions of citizens from every district, community, and sector of our society. It also contains key reforms that have received agreement and support under previous governments,” he added.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill proposes major updates to the 1991 Constitution, with a focus on electoral systems, dual citizenship rules, and presidential transition powers. But most important and controversial of it all is the provision that strengthen the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system. The government and its supporters say it guarantees women’s inclusion in Parliament, among others. But critics, including the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), reject it. They argue that the changes risk weakening multiparty democracy and erode checks and balances, among other fears.
Sierra Leone goes to the poll in 2028 and President Bio is not eligible to run after he will have completed his second and final term, according to the current constitution.
The president in his state address insisted that the aim of the amendment was in the interest of nation. He also argued that it is a continuation of a process started by his predecessors – Presidents Ahmed Tijan Kabba of his ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and Ernest Bai Koroma of the APC, noting that it also fulfills promises in negotiations that led to the end of the country’s eleven years’ civil war. Bio also cited the post-war Truth and Reconciliation Commission report which recommended constitutional reforms.
Lawmakers are expected to continue deliberations on the legislation on Monday morning, after which they will vote before proceeding to recess, as required after every State Opening of Parliament.
President Bio’s call for MPs support for the bill has been met by strong opposition from his political opponent. The Leader of the APC in parliament, Abdul Kargbo, in a social media post on Saturday called for a national prayer and fasting on Sunday “as parliament prepares to make critical decisions on our constitution…”
Some independent citizens criticized his call, arguing that there is no need to invoke God in a matter that requires common sense and patriotism.
Although the SLPP has a majority seats in the house, it doesn’t have the absolute majority required to pass the bill. But it counts on the Paramount Chief MPs, who often side with the party in power.
