By Sahrfoa Matturie
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has reiterated the All People’s Congress (APC) party’s conditional support for the ongoing constitutional review, warning that the party will only cooperate if the process strictly follows the law and respects the 1991 Constitution.
During parliamentary discussions on the 2025 Constitutional Amendment Bill, Hon. Kargbo emphasized that Parliament should not serve as a rubber stamp for legislation that undermines constitutional principles or fails to benefit the people of Sierra Leone. He noted that several provisions in the Bill conflict with existing constitutional safeguards, and lawmakers endorsing such provisions could be held accountable.
Kargbo clarified that the proposed amendments are not entrenched, meaning they can be amended or repealed by a future Parliament without a referendum or super-majority approval. He assured that the APC remains committed to constructive engagement but warned that the party would withdraw support if the process deviates from legal and constitutional requirements.
Legal experts and civil society actors have also expressed concern. Lawyer Farouk Adedoyin noted that the 2025 amendments focus heavily on electoral and political arrangements, with little attention to other essential constitutional areas. Similarly, human rights activist Yasmin Jusu-Sheriff urged lawmakers to ensure the amendments reflect the rights and aspirations of ordinary Sierra Leoneans rather than partisan interests.
The constitutional amendment process continues to attract national attention, with increasing calls for transparency, inclusiveness, and strict adherence to constitutional supremacy as Parliament deliberates on proposed changes to the country’s supreme law. The remarks by legal practitioners were made during the Liberty Television Good Morning programme
