Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio’s New Year speech has left those with critical minds to decipher that he, the President is pro-life.

In his New Year’s Eve speech, the president emphasized one of the core principles of human rights: the right to life: A fundamental right that has been recognized throughout history and remains essential to our shared values as a society.

The President, whose chilling silence had instilled a deep sense of dread among those opposing the Bill, finally addressed the nation in his New Year’s message, soothing their fears with reassurances and a vision for the future.

In paragraph 16 of his 25-paragraph speech, Bio addressed health-related topics and suggested a pro-life perspective.

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“No mother should fear giving birth and no child should be denied the chance to thrive,” Bio said. He added that his government will prioritise the protection of citizen’s lives while building the nation with unity.

It appears that Bio may align with those opposing the Bill, as they are likely to urge the government to prioritize improvements in the health system instead of moving forward with the controversial legislation.

The Safe Motherhood Bill shook the well of Parliament late last year when it was tabled to the House. The Bill received a wide condemnation from religious bodies and some civil society activists. The Bill makes abortion legal in Sierra Leone —a religious and morally conscious country.

Critics of the Bill expressed concerns that it may undermine the cultural values of the country related to the preservation of life. Some religious leaders have characterized the proponents of the bill in a negative light, suggesting a need for a more thoughtful dialogue on the implications of such legislation.

Supporters of the Bill emphasized the significance of addressing maternal mortality rates, citing examples from other African countries such as Benin and Cape Verde where abortion is legal. They contended that implementing similar measures in Sierra Leone could lead to a significant reduction in maternal mortality, ultimately benefiting women’s health and well-being.

Sierra Leone faces one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, even with the provision of free healthcare for children under five and lactating mothers at all public hospitals in the country. Opponents say that this highlights the ongoing challenges within the healthcare system that need to be addressed to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

The US government firmly states that Sierra Leone holds the 18th position globally in a ranking that encompasses nearly all African countries within the top 50.

The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act was first introduced in the Sierra Leone Parliament in 2015 tagged as the Safe Abortion Act.

The 2015 Act established provisions for the termination of pregnancy, allowing for legal abortions up to the 12th week of gestation and extending the timeframe to 24 weeks in cases of rape. In 2024, a new Act was introduced, which largely mirrors the framework of the original law but includes several important updates and enhancements.

Organizations dedicated to human rights, such as Amnesty International, advocate that these legislative changes will facilitate safer abortion procedures, ultimately bolstering women’s rights to make choices about their own bodies and reproductive health.

The Sierra Leone Parliament is scheduled to hold an emergency sitting on January 10 at the Chamber of Parliament. There are concerns among some opposition representatives regarding the possibility of undue influence on the discussion of the Bill.