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President Julius Maada Bio faces mounting pressure over a constitutional amendment bill, with civil society groups challenging the parliamentary process that delivered the legislation to his desk.
The Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) formally petitioned the president on Aug. 24, urging him to withhold assent until Parliament can demonstrate compliance with Section 108(2)(b) of the 1991 Constitution. The provision requires constitutional amendments to secure “not less than two-thirds of the Members of Parliament” on both second and third readings.
Parliament passed the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on Aug. 10 following a walkout by opposition All People’s Congress lawmakers. The dispute centres on whether the required threshold means two-thirds of the total 149 parliamentary seats — or 100 affirmative votes — rather than two-thirds of members present and voting.
“The Constitution may be changed, but it must be changed constitutionally,” CAN’s petition states. CAN Executive Director Thomas Moore Conteh, who previously warned that assenting could damage the president’s credibility and legacy, has called on Bio to obtain certified parliamentary records showing the exact number of affirmative votes recorded at both readings.
The Sierra Leone Police disallowed a peaceful protest Conteh had scheduled for Aug. 26, citing Section 17(2) of the Public Order Act of 1965. CAN said it placed the procession on hold “solely in the interest of the safety of participants”.
The All People’s Congress has formally distanced itself from the bill’s passage, with National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya stating that “at least 100 affirmative votes were required”. The Lawyers’ Society of Sierra Leone has also raised concerns, warning that “allowing a constitutional amendment to pass without the constitutionally required majority would set a dangerous precedent”.
President Bio appealed directly to Parliament on Aug. 9 to vote in favour of the bill, describing it as the culmination of more than two decades of nationwide consultations. The proposed amendments include a mandatory 30 percent constitutional quota for women in political nominations and the introduction of proportional representation.
CAN has urged Bio to refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Section 122 should a dispute remain regarding interpretation. The Sierra Leone Labour Congress has separately appealed to the president to withhold assent, citing “widespread public resentment” and inadequate consideration of civil society position papers.
