The Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) has welcomed President Julius Maada Bio’s decision to withhold assent to the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and refer the constitutional questions arising from its passage to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

CAN described the President’s decision as a prudent and constitutionally responsible course of action, saying it is consistent with the position advanced by the organisation in a petition submitted to the President on 24 August 2026.

In the petition, CAN urged President Bio not to assent to the Bill until the constitutional requirements governing its passage, particularly those under Section 108 of the 1991 Constitution, had been satisfactorily established.

The organisation said it had also taken steps to place the constitutional questions surrounding the Bill’s passage before the Supreme Court before the President’s referral.

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According to CAN, proceedings brought on its behalf through its Executive Director were filed at the Supreme Court Registry on 3 September 2026.

CAN said President Bio’s subsequent decision, on 14 September 2026, to refer the matter to the Supreme Court further reinforces the importance of obtaining an authoritative judicial interpretation before any further action is taken on the Bill.

The organisation maintained that the matter goes beyond political parties, personalities and immediate political interests, arguing that it concerns the proper interpretation of the Constitution and the procedures through which Sierra Leone’s supreme law may lawfully be amended.

CAN therefore welcomed the opportunity for the Supreme Court to provide authoritative clarity on the constitutional questions now before it.

The organisation called on all political actors, civil society organisations and citizens to respect the judicial process and allow the Court to exercise its constitutional mandate independently and without undue pressure.

CAN said it would continue to follow the proceedings and advocate peacefully and lawfully for constitutionalism, democratic accountability and the supremacy of the Constitution.

“The Constitution may be changed, but it must be changed constitutionally,” CAN stated.