Supreme Court Sets Hearing on Constitutional Amendment
The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone has set 7 October 2026 to hear all matters relating to the disputed Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The announcement, issued in a public notice on Tuesday, September 15, by Acting Registrar Peter Mkambara, shifts one of the country’s most consequential constitutional debates from the political arena to the judiciary, with the Court assuring the public that the proceedings will be heard expeditiously.
The legal controversy follows Parliament’s passage of the Bill on 10 August 2026 amid sharp disagreement between the governing party and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), whose MPs walked out after challenging the voting procedure. At the heart of the dispute is the interpretation of Sections 91 and 108 of the 1991 Constitution—specifically, whether the proposed amendments required approval by a simple majority of Members present and voting or a two-thirds supermajority of Parliament.
Multiple legal actions have since been brought before the highest court, including challenges by the APC and a separate action filed by Member of Parliament Hon. Osman Abdal Timbo. The matter gained further urgency after President Julius Maada Bio received the legislation on 10 September for presidential assent. Facing concerns raised over the process—including a formal petition from the Institute for Governance Reform—President Bio deferred his decision and, pursuant to Section 122(1) of the Constitution, directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to refer the constitutional questions to the Supreme Court for judicial interpretation.
The proposed amendments contain significant modifications to Sierra Leone’s electoral and governance framework. Proponents argue the reforms are essential to strengthen inclusion and modernise democratic institutions, while critics continue to challenge both the substance of the changes and the parliamentary process used to secure their approval.
As the 7 October hearing approaches, the case is widely viewed as a major test of Sierra Leone’s democratic framework and judicial independence.
Beyond resolving the immediate political impasse, the Supreme Court’s authoritative interpretation will establish crucial precedents for how future constitutional safeguards and legislative procedures are governed.
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