Blyden Criticises SLAJ’s Response to Parliament Constitutional Dispute

Political commentator Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has questioned the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists’ (SLAJ) position on the ongoing controversy surrounding Parliament’s consideration of the 2025 Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Blyden raised her concerns on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, after SLAJ welcomed Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas’ decision to refer a constitutional question arising from the matter to the Supreme Court.

While SLAJ urged political actors, institutions and citizens to respect the Court’s eventual determination, Blyden questioned whether the association had sufficiently distinguished between the Speaker’s ruling, which he described as final, and the separate constitutional question referred to the Supreme Court.

She also criticised SLAJ’s reference to the Tokeh engagement during the constitutional reform process, questioning the circumstances surrounding the meeting and its role in the amendment process.

Blyden warned that SLAJ should not, in her view, support any position that could discourage journalists and citizens from publicly criticising constitutional authorities. She questioned whether the association had been “co-opted by dirty money,” while stressing the need for clarification. The allegation was made by Blyden and has not been established as fact.

SLAJ, meanwhile, maintained that its position is based on its commitment to democracy, the rule of law and constitutional governance. The association has also called for restraint among political actors and urged the media to continue providing accurate, fair and contextual coverage as the constitutional matter proceeds.

Blyden’s comments add to the growing public debate over the Speaker’s ruling, Parliament’s handling of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Supreme Court’s role in providing an opinion on the constitutional question.