SLBA Begins Transition as Caretaker Body Takes Over

The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has formally entered a transitional phase following the handover of its administrative responsibilities to a newly appointed caretaker body.

The transition marks a significant step towards restoring stability within the legal profession after weeks of internal disagreements and uncertainty over the governance of the association.

During a formal handover ceremony, outgoing SLBA President Tuma Adama Jabbie transferred operational responsibilities to the newly constituted caretaker leadership.

Addressing members of the Bar, Jabbie stressed that the caretaker arrangement is strictly temporary and is intended to provide administrative continuity while the association works towards restoring its normal governance structure.

She clarified that the caretaker body does not replace or override the democratic processes of the association, emphasising that the election of permanent executive leadership must ultimately be determined through formal elections.

The caretaker body’s primary responsibility will be to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the association while preparing the necessary groundwork for free, fair and transparent executive elections.

The transitional arrangement is expected to provide the association with an opportunity to address outstanding governance issues, ease internal tensions and rebuild confidence among members of the legal profession.

The handover is therefore being viewed as an important step towards preserving institutional continuity while creating the conditions for the return of a fully elected leadership.

The caretaker leadership is expected to focus on maintaining the association’s operations during the transition and facilitating the process towards democratic elections that will establish its next permanent executive.