Ms. Blyden Petitions Parliament Over EU Observers' Diplomatic Immunity

Ms. Blyden Petitions Parliament Over EU Observers' Diplomatic Immunity

Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has submitted a formal petition to the Parliament of Sierra Leone, requesting the commencement of a statutory inquiry into the administrative and legal conduct of senior government executives. The petition centers on the issuance and presentation of a diplomatic immunity certificate, which the petitioner characterizes as impugned, concerning European Union election observers during the 2023 electoral cycle.

The petition, transmitted to the Office of the Speaker on May 11, 2026, specifically moves for a comprehensive investigation into the actions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay; and the Solicitor-General, Robert Baoma Kowa.

Central to the allegation is the certificate presented before the High Court of Sierra Leone, which purportedly validated the diplomatic status and subsequent immunity of contractual personnel engaged by the European Union for independent election observation and reporting. Dr. Blyden contends that the procedural circumstances surrounding this certification warrant scrutiny regarding the integrity of official State representations and the lawful exercise of executive authority.

The petitioner argues that the certification process bypassed critical legislative oversight. Specifically, the inquiry seeks to determine if the requisite accreditation existed and whether the mandatory agreements, statutory orders, or gazettes were tabled before Parliament in accordance with the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of 1961.

In her submission, Dr. Blyden highlights a potential breach of institutional trust, noting that the judiciary may have relied solely upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs' signature as a conclusive affirmation of status, rather than on independently verifiable evidential markers of diplomatic standing.

Furthermore, the petition alleges a possible abuse of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of 1961, questioning whether the certification submitted to the High Court constituted a fraudulent representation intended to obstruct judicial proceedings.

Invoking Section 93(4) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Dr. Blyden urges the establishment of a Committee of Inquiry. This committee would be empowered to summon the aforementioned officials and compel the production of all legal instruments and documentary evidence pertinent to the immunity claims.

The petition further requests a parliamentary determination on whether the executive branch exercised due diligence and adhered to the legal standards governing the grant of diplomatic status under Sierra Leonean law.

Asserting that the matter is one of urgent public importance involving state integrity and executive accountability, the petitioner has requested that the motion be placed on the Order Paper for immediate deliberation.

Notification of this petition has been disseminated to the Presidency, the Anti-Corruption Commission, civil society organizations, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, and the diplomatic corps.

This formal challenge is expected to significantly influence the national discourse regarding governance accountability and the legal frameworks surrounding the 2023 general elections.