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On February 20, 2025, Sierra Leone’s Attorney General, Alphonze Sesay Esq., welcomed UN Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, and a group of UN representatives to discuss critical steps for improving the country’s justice system.
The discussions focused on strengthening legal services, ensuring fair access to justice, and promoting democratic resilience.
During the meeting, Attorney General Sesay expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support from the UN in reforming the justice sector. He stated that access to justice is a basic right for every citizen. “Justice is not a privilege, but a right that belongs to all citizens. It’s a service that the government must provide, not just in terms of legal procedures but as a system that guarantees equality before the law,” Sesay commented.
He also stressed the importance of the collaboration between Sierra Leone’s government and the UN, calling their continued partnership essential in achieving reforms that benefit all citizens. “For Sierra Leone to realize its vision of a justice system that is fair, transparent, and accessible to all, the support and collaboration of the international community, particularly the United Nations, will remain indispensable,” Sesay added.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting the reform process, with a particular focus on meeting international standards for human rights and ensuring fair justice for all. “We remain dedicated to assisting Sierra Leone in making these vital justice reforms,” she shared, underlining the importance of aligning the country’s legal system with global best practices.
One key aspect of the meeting was assessing how judicial reform could contribute to Sierra Leone’s democratic resilience. While the country has made progress in strengthening democratic institutions, challenges remain. The justice sector is seen as essential in supporting the democratic process and fostering peacebuilding and national reconciliation. As such, the government and the UN are committed to promoting a justice system that reflects democratic values, social cohesion, and the fundamental rights of all citizens.
Attorney General Sesay also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for a justice system that promotes the rule of law, democratic values, and ensures equal access to justice for everyone. “We will continue to work hand in hand with our partners in the international community to achieve President Bio’s vision of a justice system that upholds the rule of law, promotes democratic values, and ensures equal access to justice for all Sierra Leoneans,” he concluded.
Looking ahead, the government and the UN agreed on several priority areas for reform, including expanding legal education and training, streamlining court procedures to reduce backlogs, ensuring greater accessibility to the justice system, and enhancing public awareness to build trust in the system.
The government and the UN also discussed key areas to focus on moving forward, such as expanding legal education and training, simplifying court procedures to reduce delays, ensuring the justice system is accessible to everyone, and raising public awareness to build trust.
