Dr. Abdulai O. Conteh, a distinguished lawyer, politician, and key architect of the 1991 Constitution. Dr. Conteh, who served as Vice President under President Joseph Saidu Momoh before being ousted by a military junta in 1992, passed away in Freetown early today, August 2, 2024, after a brief illness.

Born Abdulai Osman Conteh, he was a prominent figure in Sierra Leonean politics and law. His extensive public service included roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1977–1984), Minister of Finance (1984–1985), Attorney-General and Minister of Justice (1987–1991), and First Vice President and Minister of Rural Development (1991–1992). He also represented Kambia District in Parliament from 1977 to 1992.

After his tenure in Sierra Leone, Conteh spent several years in Belize, where he served as Chief Justice before returning to his home country. He was a respected member of the All Peoples Congress (APC) party and was nominated for Chairperson of the African Union Commission in late 2007, though he did not win the position.

Dr. Conteh’s contributions to Sierra Leone’s legal and political framework are widely acknowledged, and his passing marks the end of an era for both his party and the nation. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. May his soul rest in peace.

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