By Kadiatu Sankoh
Direct Think Tank has criticised the decision by Members of Parliament of the All People’s Congress (APC) to walk out of Parliament during proceedings on the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill, describing the move as a “betrayal” of the parliamentary mandate entrusted to elected representatives.
The organisation said the walkout occurred at a critical stage in the consideration of proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that MPs should remain in Parliament to debate, scrutinise and vote on legislation on behalf of their constituents.
Direct Think Tank acknowledged the APC’s right to oppose the proposed amendments, noting that robust disagreement and opposition are important elements of a democratic system.
However, the organisation argued that opposition should be exercised through parliamentary mechanisms rather than by abandoning the chamber.
“If the APC believed that the Bill contained provisions that threatened Sierra Leone’s democracy, its Members of Parliament had a responsibility to remain in the chamber, expose those provisions, argue their case, propose amendments, challenge the Government and vote accordingly,” the organisation said.
It questioned whether the decision to leave Parliament was in the best interests of the constituents represented by the MPs.
According to Direct Think Tank, Members of Parliament have a responsibility that extends beyond political party interests, as their ultimate mandate comes from the citizens who elected them.
The organisation also expressed concern over the broader constitutional reform process, stressing that the Constitution is the country’s supreme legal framework and that any proposed amendments require extensive parliamentary scrutiny and public engagement.
Direct Think Tank said the process should not be reduced to a political contest between the Government and Opposition.
It called on the Government to provide transparent justification for the proposed amendments while urging the Opposition to subject the proposals to rigorous scrutiny and challenge them through the legislative process.
“The people of Sierra Leone deserve better than political walkouts, parliamentary theatrics and partisan posturing. They deserve serious constitutional debate,” the organisation stated.
Direct Think Tank further argued that the APC’s decision to leave Parliament could limit its ability to directly challenge provisions it considers problematic.
The organisation has called on the APC to explain the reasons behind the walkout and its strategy for addressing the constitutional issues it opposes.
Among the questions raised are why the MPs chose to leave the chamber instead of participating in the debate and voting process, which specific provisions they sought to defeat or amend, and what parliamentary strategies had been exhausted before the walkout.
Direct Think Tank also wants the APC to explain how leaving Parliament would advance the interests of the citizens who elected its MPs and what alternative measures the party intends to pursue.
While criticising the APC, Direct Think Tank said the Government and parliamentary majority also have a responsibility to ensure that constitutional reform enjoys broad public legitimacy.
The organisation noted that an overwhelming parliamentary majority does not necessarily amount to national consensus on constitutional questions.
It therefore called for meaningful public scrutiny and wider engagement with citizens, civil society organisations, legal professionals, academics, the media and other stakeholders.
Constitutional reform must be subjected to meaningful public scrutiny and should command legitimacy beyond the numbers available on the parliamentary floor,Direct Think Tank said.
The organisation urged Sierra Leoneans to examine the proposed amendments independently and to avoid allowing partisan political interests to prevent public discussion of issues affecting the country’s constitutional future.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Sierra Leone not to the SLPP, not to the APC, and not to any individual political leader,” it said.
Direct Think Tank said it would continue to monitor the constitutional reform process and provide analysis on issues relating to democracy, good governance, accountability and the national interest.
The organisation concluded by maintaining that democratic representation requires elected officials to participate actively in the institutions in which they serve.
“Democracy is strengthened when representatives stay, speak, scrutinise, challenge, vote and defend the interests of the people who sent them there” they stated.