By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
January 27, 2026: The Government of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to democratic governance and constitutional reform, firmly dismissing any suggestion of a third-term presidential agenda. The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Miatta Civic Center in Freetown.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, emphasized that this marks the first time Sierra Leone has not been consumed by debates over a possible third presidential term. He credited President Julius Maada Bio’s respect for the constitutional two-term limit, noting that the President has made it clear that a third-term agenda will not be entertained.
Bah stressed that the ongoing Constitutional Review Process is being pursued in the national interest rather than for partisan gain. He explained that the Bill currently before Parliament, presented by the Attorney General, focuses primarily on election-related matters, while other reforms requiring a referendum will be introduced later.
Providing historical context, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., traced the origins of constitutional reform efforts to the 1999 Lomé Peace Accord, which recommended a review of the 1991 Constitution to safeguard democracy. He also cited the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report, which reinforced the need for reform. Sesay described these documents as the foundation of Sierra Leone’s long-standing pursuit of a constitution that reflects the aspirations of its people.
He noted that successive governments have acted on these recommendations. Former President Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah established the Peter Tucker Constitutional Review Committee, while Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma later constituted the Justice Cowan Committee to continue the process. Under President Bio’s leadership, Sesay said, the government is now implementing the Cowan Committee’s recommendations, with limited modifications.
Highlighting the scale of public engagement, Sesay disclosed that the Justice Cowan Committee conducted over 10,000 consultations nationwide, received more than 150 position papers, held over 80 expert engagements, and carried out more than 180 stakeholder meetings. In addition, over 70,000 consultation forms were distributed, more than 20,000 hours of radio and television discussions were recorded, and the committee’s website attracted nearly 41,000 visitors. The committee submitted its report in 2017, followed by the issuance of the first Government White Paper in June of that year.
Sesay explained that modifications to the 2017 White Paper have been introduced to include justiciable rights such as women’s rights, healthcare, and education. Recommendations from the Tripartite Committee were also incorporated to ensure broader public representation.
On proposed constitutional provisions, Sesay clarified that the President and Vice President cannot be removed from office solely for losing party membership, as any removal must follow procedures outlined in Section 51 of the 1991 Constitution. He also announced the proposed adoption of the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, describing it as cost-effective. Between 2023 and 2025, he revealed, the government saved approximately Nle20 million by avoiding bye-elections, with the funds redirected to education, health, and agriculture.
Both the Tripartite Committee and the Constitutional Review Committee have also proposed reducing the presidential election threshold from 55% to 50% plus one, alongside a requirement for candidates to secure at least 20 percent of votes in two-thirds of voting districts to ensure national appeal. The proposed Constitution further allows independent candidates to contest the presidency, provided they are not affiliated with any political party and can demonstrate strong national and community support.
The government’s reaffirmation signals a strong commitment to democratic principles and constitutional reform, while firmly rejecting any notion of extending presidential tenure beyond the two-term limit.