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The Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) has formally notified the Sierra Leone Police of its intention to stage a peaceful protest and procession on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, over what it describes as alleged constitutional violations in the ongoing process to amend Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution.
In a letter dated August 17 and addressed to Inspector-General of Police William Fayia Sellu, CAN Executive Director Thomas Moore Conteh said the planned demonstration is intended to give citizens an opportunity to express their concerns and petition President Julius Maada Bio on what the organisation considers an issue of national importance.
CAN said its notification was submitted pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Public Order Act, 1965 (Act No. 46 of 1965), which requires organisers of public processions to notify the police in writing of their intention to hold such events.
According to the organisation, the procession will begin at Lumley Beach and pass through Stadium Car Park, Savage Street, St. John, Sanders Street and Siaka Stevens Street before ending at State House.
CAN said it expects the protest to attract a significant number of citizens but stressed that the demonstration will be peaceful, orderly and non-violent.
The organisation said participants will be expected to comply with the law and respect public and private property, security personnel and other members of the public throughout the procession.
Given the anticipated turnout, CAN has asked the Sierra Leone Police to make appropriate arrangements for crowd management, traffic control, public safety and emergency access.
The organisation also requested an engagement with the police to discuss security and logistical arrangements ahead of the planned procession.
CAN said the protest is part of its broader commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law and the peaceful exercise of citizens’ rights.
“We therefore look forward to the cooperation of the Sierra Leone Police in ensuring that the planned procession is conducted peacefully and safely,” the organisation stated in its notification.
Copies of the letter were sent to several national and international stakeholders, including the Speaker of Parliament, Leader of Government Business, Opposition Leader, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, United Nations Resident Coordinator, European Union Delegation and diplomatic missions representing the United States, United Kingdom, Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Guinea and Liberia.
The notification also went to civil society leaders, the Fourth Estate, the general public and other relevant authorities.
The planned demonstration comes amid ongoing parliamentary consideration of proposed amendments to the 1991 Constitution, with CAN raising concerns over what it considers procedural violations in the amendment process.
How constitutional amendment concern the citizens ba?
How stupid citizens will go and protest. Bloody fools anyway
It concerns them because it something that will affect the life of every citizens of Sierra Leone now and in the future
As citizens who genuinely care about the future of Sierra Leone, I believe that any peaceful protest aimed at drawing attention to issues affecting the people is important and deserves serious consideration. First and foremost, we want to commend and thank the organization behind this initiative for thinking about an action that could give ordinary citizens an opportunity to express their concerns.
However, before people decide to participate, there are some important questions that need to be answered.
Is this protest genuinely intended to promote the interests and welfare of the people of Sierra Leone, or is it being organized to advance the personal, political, or financial interests of a few individuals?
This is a legitimate question because many citizens may be willing to participate, but they also have the right to know exactly what they are being asked to stand for. What are the specific objectives of the protest? What are the demands? Who will benefit if those demands are achieved? And, most importantly, will the outcome genuinely improve the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans?
We should not mobilize citizens merely because they are angry or frustrated. People deserve clarity, transparency, and accountability. If this action is truly about the people, then the organizers should have no difficulty explaining its purpose, its demands, its leadership, and what they hope to achieve.
I therefore believe that before anyone joins this protest, we should seek answers to these questions. We support actions that genuinely defend the interests of the people, promote accountability, and contribute to a better Sierra Leone. But we must also be careful not to allow the legitimate frustrations of citizens to be used as a vehicle for somebody else’s personal agenda.
Our participation should be based on principles, facts, and the national interest not simply emotions.
So, the question remains: Is this protest for Sierra Leone and its people, or is Sierra Leone’s people being mobilized for somebody else’s interest?