AYV News, July 29, 2026
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha SesayEsq., has described the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025 as a transformational step that will move Sierra Leone “from a constitution of survival to a constitution of prosperity.”
Delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, following the First Reading of the Bill and growing public interest, the Attorney General said the proposed amendments are the culmination of decades of constitutional reform efforts and are aimed at strengthening the country’s democratic and governance framework.
Mr. Sesay recalled that the 1991 Constitution was enacted primarily to restore stability and establish a multi-party democratic system during a challenging period in the country’s history.
He noted that calls for constitutional reform began with the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement, gained momentum through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2002–2004), and were subsequently advanced under the administrations of former Presidents Ahmad TejanKabbah, Ernest Bai Koroma, and President Julius Maada Bio.
According to the Attorney General, the Constitutional Amendment Bill is based on two principal sources.
The first is the Justice Edmund Cowan Constitutional Review Committee Report (2013), which was informed by an extensive nationwide consultation process involving more than 10,000 public consultations, 133 stakeholder engagements, 150 position papers, and the distribution of approximately 70,000 consultation forms across the country. He noted that the proposal for a proportional representation electoral system originated from this review process.
The second source is the Tripartite Committee Report, which contains 18 consensus recommendations jointly developed by the Government and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), with contributions from a broad range of national stakeholders.
Mr. Sesay further disclosed that after the Bill was gazetted, additional submissions from citizens and institutions were reviewed by a technical committee comprising representatives of both Government and the APC.
He commended Dr. Emmanuel Gaima and Dr. KaifalaMarah for their leadership during the Tripartite process, describing their contributions as instrumental in building national consensus.
Responding to concerns raised by sections of the public, the Attorney General rejected suggestions that the Government was prioritising electoral reforms for political advantage.
He argued that introducing electoral reforms well ahead of national elections is consistent with international best practices promoted by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the United Nations, noting that early reforms provide political parties, candidates and voters with sufficient time to understand and adjust to new electoral rules while enhancing public confidence in the electoral process.
Key Provisions
Mr. Sesay highlighted several key provisions contained in the Bill, including the introduction of a proportional representation electoral system, which he said is intended to broaden political participation and create greater opportunities for women, young people and minority groups.
He also emphasized the proposal to constitutionally guarantee a minimum 30 percent quota for women in political nominations at both national and local levels, building on the gains made under the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act.
The Attorney General assured Parliament that all 16 recommendations contained in the Women’s Manifesto would be incorporated into the broader constitutional reform package. He also paid tribute to Deputy Minister of Justice, Madam Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, for her advocacy in advancing women’s representation.
Mr. Sesay called on Members of Parliament to seize what he termed a historic opportunity to modernise Sierra Leone’s constitutional framework.
Responding on behalf of the Opposition, Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, welcomed the commencement of the debate and expressed confidence in the Speaker of Parliament’s ability to conduct the proceedings in accordance with the law.
He reminded Parliament that Section 108(2) of the Constitution requires constitutional amendments to receive the support of not less than two-thirds of all 149 Members of Parliament, meaning at least 100 affirmative votes.
Hon. Kargbo clarified that the Opposition supports constitutional reform in principle but would carefully examine each proposed amendment to determine whether it serves the national interest.
“Our contributions will be guided by the rule of law and democratic principles,” he said.
Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, also urged Members of Parliament to approach the debate with patriotism and responsibility.
He stressed that the Bill is “not about partisan politics, but about the future of our country,” adding that the proposed amendments seek to strengthen governance, improve representation, empower women and modernise the country’s electoral system.
According to Hon. Nyuma, the Government’s objective is to promote “One Country, One People” by creating a more inclusive society and laying a stronger constitutional foundation for national development.
He encouraged Members of Parliament to scrutinise each clause thoroughly and commended the Attorney General and the legislative drafting team for their work on the Bill.
As debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill continues, lawmakers have been urged to engage constructively and ensure that the final outcome reflects the best interests of Sierra Leone and its democratic future.
