By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, after all that has transpired in Sierra Leone, it is time to address one of the most sensitive issues tied directly to our survival as a democratic nation: the manipulation of our Constitution. Yes, Mr. President, it appears that you are treading a calculated path, quietly and methodically. Are you shocked by this assertion? I hope not, for it is time we confront the uncomfortable truth.
Mr. President, the ongoing constitutional review process under your administration is cloaked in secrecy. There is an apparent effort to divert public attention from this critical undertaking. This is not a baseless accusation but a cry for transparency and accountability in matters that determine the very fabric of our governance and democracy.
Let us trace the history of this process, which began during the tenure of the late President Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabba. Under his leadership, the review was initiated with Justice Edmond Cowan at the helm, a statesman whose work was steeped in integrity and national interest. His recommendations, however, gathered dust as subsequent administrations either ignored them or exploited them for political gain.
Your predecessor, President Ernest Bai Koroma, unfortunately reduced this noble endeavour to a political farce. His intentions to manipulate the Constitution for a term extension were met with fierce resistance from Sierra Leoneans who recognized the threat to our democracy. Now, Mr. President, it seems that history is repeating itself, albeit under a veil of secrecy that raises even greater concern.
Mr. President, who are the individuals on this so-called 1991 Constitutional Review Committee? Why has their identity been hidden from the public? What is their mandate, and how far have they gone in the review process? These are questions that demand immediate answers.
The opacity surrounding this committee is alarming. In a democracy, transparency is not a privilege, it is a right. The Constitution belongs to the people of Sierra Leone, not to any single administration. Yet, your government seems intent on shielding this process from public scrutiny, leaving us to wonder, What are you hiding, Mr. President?
If the rumours are true, and your administration is considering extending your five-year term to seven years, this would be a gross betrayal of the democratic principles upon which Sierra Leone is built. Such an amendment would undermine the trust of the people, destabilize our political system, and set a dangerous precedent for future leaders.
Mr. President, let me be unequivocal. Sierra Leoneans are not fools. Our people are resilient, patient, and often forgiving, but we are also fiercely protective of our democratic rights. We may appear calm, but history has shown that when pushed to the brink, we do not hesitate to rise in defense of our collective well-being.
Attempting to manipulate the Constitution under the guise of a review process is a grave miscalculation. Our nation has endured too much civil war, economic hardship, and political instability to allow any leader to jeopardize the progress we have made.
Mr. President, the people are watching, and we demand transparency. We need to know.
1. Who are the members of the Constitutional Review Committee?
2. What are their qualifications, and how were they selected?
3. What specific areas of the Constitution are being reviewed, and why?
4. What timeline has been set for the review process, and when will the findings be shared with the public?
The longer these questions remain unanswered, the more suspicion and distrust will grow.
Mr. President, let us not forget the lessons of our past. When President Koroma attempted to extend his tenure through “after Yu Na Yu” “Pa E Nor Bin Woke Da Tem Dae En Naw Sef E Nor Go Woke Bak” the people spoke with one voice. “No”. His plans crumbled under the weight of public opposition, as Sierra Leoneans refused to allow personal ambition to override the national interest.
Your administration has an opportunity to break this cycle of mistrust by embracing transparency and engaging in genuine dialogue with the people. A constitutional review process can only succeed when it is inclusive, participatory, and driven by the collective will of the nation.
Hiding behind closed doors and making unilateral decisions are antithetical to good governance. Sierra Leoneans are watching, and we will not be silenced.
Mr. President, the time has come to restore faith in this process. Here are concrete steps your administration must take immediately.
1. Publish the names and qualifications of the Constitutional Review Committee members. The public has a right to know who is shaping the future of our nation.
2. Engage stakeholders from all sectors of society. Civil society organizations, political parties, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens must have a seat at the table.
3. Provide regular updates on the review process. Transparency breeds trust. Inform the public about the progress being made and the issues being debated.
4. Commit to upholding democratic principles. Any attempt to extend your term or consolidate power will be met with fierce resistance. Reassure the nation that this review is about strengthening our democracy, not undermining it.
5. Hold public consultations. The Constitution belongs to the people. Host town hall meetings, open forums, and debates to gather input from citizens across the country.
6. Respect the outcome of the process. If the people reject certain proposals, honour their decision. Leadership is about serving the will of the people, not imposing your own agenda.
Mr. President, Sierra Leone stands at a crossroads. The decisions made during this constitutional review process will shape the future of our nation for generations to come. Will you choose the path of transparency, inclusivity, and democratic integrity? Or will you succumb to the temptation of power and secrecy?
The people of Sierra Leone are not passive spectators in this process. We are active participants in our democracy, and we will not allow our voices to be silenced. The Constitution is not a tool for personal gain, it is a sacred contract between the government and the governed.
Mr. President, the time for secrecy is over. The people demand answers, and we demand them now, not tomorrow, not next week, but now. The ball is in your court. Sierra Leone deserves a leader who respects the rule of law and upholds the principles of democracy. Mr. President, will you be that leader? Or will you go down in history as yet another politician who prioritized personal ambition over the greater good? The choice is yours.
