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Sierra Leone’s Parliamentary Legislative Committee Chairman, Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, has called on African parliaments and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to adopt proactive measures in tackling growing cybersecurity threats and digital disinformation.
Marray-Conteh made the call on Thursday, August 13, 2026, while speaking at the 55th CPA Africa Region Annual General Meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi.
During the meeting, he seconded a motion urging African parliaments to strengthen their preparedness and defenses against cyberattacks and the growing spread of false information online.
He said democratic institutions across Africa are increasingly operating in an environment where cyberattacks can disrupt parliamentary operations, compromise sensitive information and undermine public trust.
He also warned that digital disinformation campaigns, amplified by social media and artificial intelligence, are increasingly being used to manipulate public opinion and potentially destabilize democratic processes.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical ICT issue. It is now a governance issue, a national security issue, and a democratic resilience issue,” Marray-Conteh said.
He urged African parliaments to strengthen their preparedness not only through technology, but also through institutional, strategic and cultural measures.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s efforts, Marray-Conteh said the country has promoted responsible journalism and repealed Part V of the Public Order Act, which criminalized libel.
He also pointed to the enactment of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act of 2021, which he said provides measures to prevent the abuse of computer systems, facilitate the timely collection of electronic evidence, protect critical national information infrastructure and promote international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
Marray-Conteh said the CPA Africa Region, as a major platform for African parliamentarians, must ensure that discussions and resolutions are translated into concrete action at the national level.
He called for greater emphasis on preparedness rather than reaction and urged parliaments to ensure that digital transformation is accompanied by capacity building for Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff.
However, he cautioned that efforts to combat cyber threats and disinformation must not be used to restrict democratic freedoms or freedom of expression.
“Our efforts to eliminate cybersecurity threats in our respective countries should not be seen as a tool to hinder democracy,” he said.
Marray-Conteh concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the CPA Africa Region to addressing cybersecurity threats while protecting democratic principles and fundamental freedoms.
