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Presidential Spokesman Alpha Khan has disclosed that Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has acted as President of Sierra Leone more than 45 times over the past eight years.
Khan made the revelation during an appearance on Radio Democracy’s Gud Morning Salon programme, while explaining the working relationship between President Julius Maada Bio and his deputy.
According to the Presidential Spokesman, the frequent acting arrangements are mainly linked to President Bio’s official travels, which he said average about five trips annually. He clarified that the figure represents the cumulative number of presidential trips over an eight-year period and not 45 trips within a single year, as had been suggested in some public discussions.
Khan said President Bio’s travels are part of his international engagements aimed at representing Sierra Leone and advancing the country’s interests abroad.
“The Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has acted as President more than 45 times over the past eight years,” Khan stated, explaining that the acting periods occur whenever the President is away on official duties.
The Presidential Spokesman noted that such arrangements are provided for under Sierra Leone’s constitutional framework and are intended to ensure continuity of government whenever the President is unavailable due to travel, official assignments, or other temporary circumstances.
During periods when the Vice President acts as President, he assumes the constitutional responsibilities and powers of the head of state until the President resumes his duties.
Khan’s disclosure has drawn attention to the frequency of the Vice President’s assumption of presidential responsibilities, linking it to President Julius Maada Bio’s frequent overseas trips, which have attracted significant public criticism in recent times.
