Lawyer Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah Reminds Government: Curfew Must Comply with Constitutional Limits

Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah ESQ, a prominent social activist and lawyer in Sierra Leone, issued a reminder to the government regarding the constitutional limits of the current nationwide curfew.

Marrah pointed out that according to Section 29(3) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the curfew cannot be constitutionally sustained beyond seven days without a state of emergency declaration by the President, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority of parliament.

He emphasized, “Majority of the people of Sierra Leone have stood on the side of constitutional democracy following the “failed attempted coup” of 26/11. We thank our brave soldiers who foiled all attempts to unseat our democratic governance. Our profound thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died while defending our peace and freedom. So far the govt’s response, both in action and in rhetoric, has been very decisive but relatively measured.
Let me therefore remind the government that the current nationwide curfew cannot be constitutionally sustained beyond 7 days without a state of emergency declaration by the President which is to be approved by two-thirds majority of parliament—Section 29(3) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. We must not while defending constitutional order abuse constitutional dictates.
Respect for the rule of law should not selective but absolute!”

In his address, Marrah commended the majority of the Sierra Leonean people for steadfastly supporting constitutional democracy in the aftermath of the “failed attempted coup” on 26/11. He expressed gratitude to the courageous soldiers who successfully thwarted all attempts to undermine the democratic governance of the nation. Acknowledging the sacrifices made, Marrah extended thoughts and prayers to the families of those who lost their lives defending peace and freedom during the tumultuous events.

While recognizing the government’s decisive response to the crisis, both in action and rhetoric, Marrah emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional principles. He cautioned against exceeding the constitutional timeframe for the nationwide curfew and urged the government to uphold the rule of law.

Marrah’s message underscored the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging the gravity of the situation while respecting the legal framework that governs the nation. He stressed that constitutional dictates should not be ignored or abused, emphasizing that the respect for the rule of law should be absolute and not selective.

As Sierra Leone navigates the aftermath of the attempted coup, Marrah’s reminder serves as a call for the government to ensure that its actions align with the constitutional provisions that safeguard the democratic order. The tweet resonates with the broader sentiment of upholding the rule of law as an integral part of preserving the nation’s constitutional democracy.