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Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has unveiled a package of electoral and justice sector reforms designed to expand democratic participation and streamline legal processes for citizens living abroad.
Speaking during the Civic Day Series in the United States on Tuesday, AG Sesay said the reforms would, for the first time, allow Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to register and potentially vote at Sierra Leonean embassies worldwide.
“Instead of flying home multiple times for registration, verification, and voting, you will soon be able to do it all here at the embassy,” he assured.
The AG, however, cautioned that the reforms still require parliamentary approval and urged diaspora citizens to lobby their lawmakers for support.
He also announced updates to the Criminal Procedures Act (CPA), including timelines for case rulings and the use of online submissions for motions and testimony changes aimed at making justice more accessible for citizens overseas.
Another key reform is the forthcoming Mediation Bill, which will allow certain disputes to be resolved by trained mediators rather than through lengthy court proceedings. Sesay said surveys indicate that up to 70% of Sierra Leoneans prefer mediation over litigation.
“These reforms reflect President Bio’s commitment to strengthening democracy and justice for Sierra Leoneans everywhere,” Sesay concluded.
