[REVISION HISTORY]

Sierra Leone constitutional amendment debate and legal push

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-04 13:03 UTC → 2026-09-15 20:56 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late July 2026, Sierra Leone’s Parliament intensified debate over the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Following an intensive session spanning July 28 to July 29, the bill passed its second reading and entered the committee stage. Attorney-General Alpha Sesay presented the reforms as a transition from a “constitution of survival” to a “constitution of prosperity.” Key provisions include transitioning the legislature to a proportional representation system, implementing a 30 percent quota for women in political leadership, and lowering the presidential election threshold from 55 percent to a simple majority. On August 9, 2026, President Julius Maada Bio issued a televised appeal to Parliament to pass the bill. However, the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) intensified its resistance. On August 10, 2026, 49 APC MPs, led by Abdul Kargbo, staged a walkout following a ruling by Speaker Solomon Thomas that the amendment process could proceed under a simple majority. MP Ibrahim Barrie defended the walkout as a “principled stand,” arguing that the threshold for constitutional changes must be based on the full membership of the legislature to prevent procedural manipulation. Despite the opposition, Parliament passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025. Legal challenges have since escalated. The APC is seeking redress from the Supreme Court, arguing that Section 108(2)(b) requires a two-thirds majority of all elected MPs—specifically 100 out of 149 votes—rather than the general majority applied by the Speaker. Simultaneously, lawyers from the Lawyers’ Society of Sierra Leone have filed for judicial interpretation to clarify required voting thresholds and procedures, seeking a declaration that the bill is null and void if procedures were not met. In response to the controversy, Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala advised the Court to consider exercising judicial restraint in a statement titled “Dangerously Educated Opinion.” ~~Civil unrest remains a concern.~~

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