The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has called for calm, restraint and respect for constitutional institutions as the country awaits the Supreme Court’s interpretation of a disputed constitutional question arising from Parliament’s consideration of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The Association said the referral of the matter to the Supreme Court provides an opportunity for the country’s highest judicial authority to clarify the constitutional provisions at the centre of the controversy and help preserve confidence in the democratic process.
In a Press Release dated 12 August 2026 and signed by SLAJ Secretary General Edward Farah Marrah, the Association welcomed the decision by the Speaker of Parliament to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation on the legality and application of the voting threshold required for constitutional amendments.
The move follows a heated parliamentary session during which Members of Parliament from the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) withdrew from the Chamber before the Bill was subjected to a vote. Parliament later announced that the proposed amendment had secured the required votes for passage, triggering debate among political actors, legal experts and members of the public.
The controversy has centred on differing interpretations of provisions in the 1991 Constitution relating to the procedure and threshold required for amending the country’s supreme law.
SLAJ, in reaffirming its commitment to democracy, constitutional governance and the rule of law, said all parties must allow the judicial process to take its course and respect the final decision of the Supreme Court.
“Constitutional matters of such national importance require patience, maturity and respect for the institutions established to provide guidance and resolution,” the Association stated.
The journalists’ body cautioned political parties, state institutions and citizens against actions or statements that could increase tensions or undermine public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
According to SLAJ, disagreements are a normal part of democratic governance, but such differences must be addressed through dialogue, legal procedures and peaceful engagement rather than confrontation.
The Association stressed that constitutional reforms should be driven by transparency, inclusiveness and broad public understanding, noting that reforms affecting national governance must command confidence across political and social divides.
SLAJ further recalled that media organisations across the country had provided extensive platforms for discussions on the proposed amendments, allowing politicians, lawyers, civil society representatives, academics and other stakeholders to express their views.
It noted that public engagements, including the dialogue held at Tokeh, created expectations that the constitutional reform process would encourage national consultation and produce outcomes that reflect the wider interests of Sierra Leoneans.
The Association praised journalists and media institutions for their sustained coverage of the parliamentary debates, public discussions and developments surrounding the amendment process.
It described a free, independent and professional media as a critical pillar of democracy, helping citizens access accurate information, understand national issues and participate meaningfully in governance processes.
SLAJ urged media houses and journalists to maintain the highest standards of professionalism by providing fair, balanced and contextual reporting as the matter progresses through the courts.
The Association also appealed to political leaders and stakeholders to prioritise national unity and peace over partisan interests, warning that unnecessary tension could weaken democratic gains made over the years.
SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara said constitutional reform should not be viewed merely as a political contest between winners and losers but as a process aimed at strengthening the country’s institutions and protecting the rights of all citizens.
“Constitutional reform must ultimately be about more than winning or losing a political contest. It must strengthen the institutions, rights and democratic principles that every Sierra Leonean, regardless of political affiliation, will depend upon today and for generations to come,” he said.
He added that Sierra Leone’s constitutional democracy belongs to all citizens and that every reform initiative must serve the collective interest of the nation.