SLAJ Backs Supreme Court Interpretation on Constitutional Amendment Bill

By Abdul Rahman Bah

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has expressed support for the decision of the Speaker of Parliament to seek guidance from the Supreme Court on constitutional questions arising from the ongoing process surrounding the proposed constitutional amendment bill.

SLAJ Public Relations Officer, Umu Bakar, said the association considers the matter to be of significant national importance and believes that constitutional questions arising from the parliamentary process should be settled through the appropriate legal and constitutional channels.

Speaking on the association’s position, Bakar said SLAJ supports the Speaker’s decision to seek the interpretation and guidance of the Supreme Court on the issues under consideration.

She noted that the constitutional questions before the country are matters that require authoritative interpretation, stressing that the Supreme Court is the institution constitutionally mandated to provide clarity on questions relating to the interpretation of the Constitution.

According to Bakar, seeking judicial guidance would help provide clarity and ensure that the constitutional process is conducted within the confines of the country’s supreme law.

She said SLAJ’s position is informed by the importance of protecting constitutionalism, the rule of law and democratic institutions, particularly when issues of national significance are being debated.

Bakar maintained that the ongoing constitutional debate should not be viewed merely as a political disagreement, but as a matter with implications for the country’s democratic and constitutional order.

She therefore urged citizens, political parties and other stakeholders to allow the Supreme Court to perform its constitutional role without undue pressure or interference.

The SLAJ PRO further emphasised that whatever determination the Supreme Court eventually makes on the constitutional questions should be respected by all Sierra Leoneans.

She said respect for the decision of the highest court would demonstrate the country’s commitment to the rule of law and the principle that constitutional disputes should be resolved through established legal institutions rather than confrontation.

Bakar stressed that the Constitution remains the supreme legal framework of Sierra Leone, and all institutions and individuals are expected to operate within its provisions.

She said adherence to constitutional procedures is particularly important when Parliament is considering amendments that could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s governance and democratic institutions.

The position of SLAJ comes amid heightened public and political interest in the proposed constitutional amendments and the parliamentary process surrounding them.

The association’s call for respect for the Supreme Court’s eventual determination also underscores the importance of ensuring that constitutional debates are handled through peaceful, lawful and transparent means.

Bakar reiterated that SLAJ would continue to support democratic governance, constitutionalism, freedom of expression and the rule of law, while encouraging all stakeholders to respect the institutions established to resolve constitutional questions.

She said the Supreme Court’s interpretation, once delivered, should serve as an authoritative guide to all parties and help bring clarity to the constitutional issues currently under consideration.