Alpha Khan Highlights Reforms as Key to Sierra Leone’s Stability

Presidential Spokesman Alpha Khan has described Sierra Leone’s latest constitutional and electoral reforms as a significant step towards strengthening democracy, political inclusion and long-term national stability.

Speaking at the Government’s press briefing on Tuesday at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, Khan said the reforms were designed to preserve peace and prevent a recurrence of political tensions that have contributed to conflict in Sierra Leone’s past.

Reflecting on the country’s transition from a one-party state to multi-party democracy in 1991 and the lessons of the civil war, Khan stressed the importance of building strong democratic institutions capable of managing political differences peacefully.

He said the constitutional review process involved extensive public consultations across the country, including thousands of interviews, radio discussions and town-hall meetings, to ensure that citizens’ concerns and priorities were reflected in the proposed changes.

Among the key reforms is the adoption of proportional representation and changes to presidential election thresholds, which the government says are intended to reduce political tensions and the risk of violence associated with presidential run-off elections.

The reforms also seek to increase women’s representation in elected positions and promote a more inclusive political system.

According to Khan, the government has accepted the principal recommendations through an official White Paper, while legislative processes are already underway to translate the proposals into law.

He urged Sierra Leoneans to recognize the country’s democratic progress and remain committed to reforms aimed at protecting peace, strengthening institutions and safeguarding national unity for future generations.