SLAJ Urges Supreme Court Intervention in Constitutional Reform Process

SLAJ Urges Supreme Court Intervention in Constitutional Reform Process

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has called on the Supreme Court to provide key legal interpretations regarding the country’s ongoing constitutional review, framing the ruling as a critical opportunity to restore public confidence in the judiciary.

Speaking at a Ministry of Information and Civic Education press conference, SLAJ Public Relations Officer Umu Bakar clarified that the association remains politically neutral but fully endorses the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to seek judicial guidance. This is a reiteration of the association's position stated in an official bulletin issued in recently past days.

“Our position has been very clear: we are neither for nor against,” Bakar stated. “We support the decision of the Speaker of Parliament to consult the Supreme Court for interpretation.”

Emphasizing that the Constitution is Sierra Leone’s supreme law, Bakar noted that the Supreme Court is the sole authority suited to resolve parliamentary ambiguities and describing the review as a matter of national interest, she urged citizens and political leaders alike to honor the court’s eventual ruling.

Bakar also highlighted the crucial role of the press in translating complex legal proceedings for the public, particularly for communities that rely on radio broadcasts to stay informed.

“We have a responsibility to Sierra Leone,” Bakar noted. “As media people, we are the voice of the voiceless.”

According to SLAJ, the ultimate goal of the reform process must be a constitutional framework that serves all Sierra Leoneans—from market women to farmers and fishermen—rather than partisan political interests.

“I think this can be a test case for Sierra Leoneans to regain trust in the judicial system,” Bakar concluded, calling on leadership across the spectrum to prioritize national development over political division.