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Prominent All People’s Congress (APC) politician and political commentator Sylvia Blyden has questioned the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) over a recent statement by the journalists’ body concerning the ongoing controversy surrounding Parliament’s handling of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Blyden criticised SLAJ for what she described as an inadequate response to Parliament’s position that courts cannot review the Speaker’s ruling, while arguing that any future acts would be required to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that could reportedly be issued as late as three months later.
In a strongly worded reaction, Blyden questioned whether SLAJ President Manika Kamara and Secretary General Edward Mansa Marah were aligning themselves with the government in an attempt to silence citizens who have raised concerns over the constitutional process.
She also challenged SLAJ’s apparent endorsement of an engagement held at Tokeh, questioning the legal basis for taking discussions on constitutional bills to a closed-door setting away from the wider public.
“Which law says Constitutional Bills are to be taken to Tokeh Beach for engagements & changes?” Blyden questioned.
Blyden repeatedly asked, “What is wrong with SLAJ?” while calling for urgent clarification from the journalists’ association over its position.
She further raised allegations that SLAJ may have been influenced by financial interests, saying its statement appeared to her to be an attempt to intimidate journalists and citizens speaking out against the Speaker of Parliament.
“If SLAJ cannot join to condemn the Speaker, that is fine but don’t join the Speaker to intimidate journalists and other citizens who are now speaking out,” Blyden stated.
Her comments add to growing public debate over Parliament’s handling of the proposed constitutional amendments and the role of journalists and civil society organisations in scrutinising the process.
