Basita Michael Questions Drift Toward "Presidency-First" Constitutional Reform

Basita Michael Questions Drift Toward "Presidency-First" Constitutional Reform

Lawyer Basita Michael has sparked a vital debate on Sierra Leone’s constitutional reform, warning against a growing trend toward concentrating power in the Presidency at the expense of democratic checks and balances.

Her remarks challenge high-profile arguments recently made by Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas and constitutional lawyer Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai. While Thomas defended a powerful executive as a necessity for any party in power, and Abdulai proposed extending the presidential term from five to seven years, Michael argues these shifts miss the point of reform.

“Citizens naturally expect proposals that strengthen checks and balances—not interventions that appear to preserve or expand presidential power,” Michael stated, emphasizing that true reform must prioritize accountability across the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.

Michael posed a provocative question to the nation: Is this reform meant to empower the Republic and its people, or is it being designed to better serve the Presidency?

As Parliament continues to deliberate on the Amendment Bill, Michael’s intervention serves as a reminder that the future of Sierra Leone’s governance depends on protecting the separation of powers and ensuring no single office outweighs the interests of the citizens.