Citizens' Advocacy Network

15/09/2026

15/09/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

CAN WELCOMES PRESIDENT BIO’S DECISION TO SEEK SUPREME COURT INTERPRETATION ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

The Citizens Advocacy Network (“CAN”) welcomes the decision of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to withhold assent to the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on the constitutional questions arising from its passage.

CAN considers this a prudent and constitutionally responsible course.

The decision is consistent with the position advanced by CAN in its petition submitted to the President on 24 August 2026, in which CAN urged that assent should not be given until the constitutional requirements governing the passage of the Bill, particularly under section 108 of the 1991 Constitution, had been satisfactorily established.

CAN had also, prior to the President’s referral, taken steps to place the constitutional questions
arising from the questionable passage of the Bill before the Supreme Court. Proceedings on
behalf of CAN through its Executive Director were filed at the Registry of the Supreme Court on 3 September 2026.

The President’s subsequent decision on 14 September 2026 to refer the matter to the Supreme
Court therefore reinforces the importance of obtaining authoritative judicial interpretation
before any further step is taken on the Bill.

CAN’s position remains that this matter transcends political parties, personalities and immediate political interests. It concerns the proper interpretation of the Constitution and the procedures by which the supreme law of Sierra Leone may lawfully be altered.

CAN therefore welcomes the opportunity for the Supreme Court to provide authoritative clarity
on the constitutional questions now before it.

We respectfully call upon all political actors, civil society organisations and citizens to respect the judicial process and allow the Court to exercise its constitutional mandate independently and without undue pressure.

CAN will continue to follow the proceedings and advocate peacefully and lawfully for
constitutionalism, democratic accountability and the supremacy of the Constitution.

The Constitution may be changed, but it must be changed constitutionally.

THOMAS MOORE CONTEH, ESQ
Executive Director
Citizens Advocacy Network1
For and on behalf of the Citizens Advocacy Network and concerned citizens of the Republic
of Sierra Leone.

27/08/2026

CAN - SOME MEDIA PUBLICATIONS

27/08/2026

CAN - PETITION TO PRESIDENT BIO

27/08/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

21/08/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

CAN RESPONDS TO SIERRA LEONE POLICE STATEMENT ON PROPOSED PROTEST AND PROCESSION

The Citizens Advocacy Network (hereinafter referred to as CAN) has taken note of the press statement issued by the Sierra Leone Police dated 20th August 2026 concerning the proposed protest and procession scheduled for Wednesday, 26th August 2026.

CAN wishes to categorically clarify that it was never formally invited to any meeting by the Sierra Leone Police in relation to the proposed protest and procession. Any suggestion or communication to the public that implies that CAN was formally invited to an engagement or meeting with the Police concerning this matter is therefore untrue and misleading.

CAN understands that the Police may rely on having made a telephone call to an individual concerning a possible meeting. However, a telephone call from an anonymous caller, without clear identification, official authorisation, confirmation of the purpose of the meeting, or any written communication from the Sierra Leone Police, cannot reasonably be characterised as a formal invitation to CAN on such a critical national matter.

CAN finds it particularly concerning that information relating to the organisation and its proposed civic action is being communicated to the general public in a manner that could create the impression that the Police and CAN had a formal engagement which resulted in the position now communicated by the Police. That is not the case.

CAN remains committed to peaceful, lawful and responsible civic engagement. Our intention has always been to exercise the rights afforded to citizens and civil society organisations under the laws of Sierra Leone, including the right to peacefully assemble, express concerns and advocate on matters of public interest.

If the Sierra Leone Police has concerns regarding the proposed protest and procession, CAN believes that such concerns should be addressed transparently and directly with the organisers rather than through statements that may create an inaccurate impression of prior consultation or engagement.

We therefore call on the Sierra Leone Police to publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding its statement and to correct any information that inaccurately suggests that CAN was formally invited to, or engaged in, a meeting concerning the proposed protest and procession.

CAN further urges the Police to exercise restraint and professionalism in its public communications and to ensure that information provided to the public is accurate, balanced and capable of being independently verified.

For the avoidance of doubt, CAN has not withdrawn its position or its commitment to peaceful civic engagement. We remain guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, constitutionalism and respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.

CAN calls on all stakeholders, including the Police, to act responsibly and in the interest of maintaining peace while respecting the legitimate rights of citizens.

God bless CAN!
God Bless Sierra Leone!

Thomas Moore Conteh

Executive Director
Citizens Advocacy Network

21/08/2026

Local tabloid on CAN proposed peaceful procession.

17/08/2026

CITIZENS ADVOCACY NETWORK’S NOTICE OF INTENDED PEACEFUL PROTEST AND PROCESSION – 26 AUGUST 2026

17th August, 2026

Mr. William Fayia Sellu
Inspector-General of Police
Sierra Leone Police
Police Headquarters
George Street
Freetown

Dear Sir,

NOTICE OF INTENDED PEACEFUL PROTEST AND PROCESSION – 26 AUGUST 2026

Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) hereby formally notifies the Sierra Leone Police of its intention to organize and undertake a peaceful protest and procession on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, to express citizens’ disapproval of what CAN considers to be Parliament’s violation of prescribed constitutional provisions in the process of amending the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

This notification is made pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Public Order Act, 1965 (Act No. 46 of 1965), which provides:

“Any person who intends to take part or takes part in organizing or holding any procession shall first notify the Commissioner of Police in writing of his intention to do so and any person who fails to give such notification as aforesaid shall be guilty of an offence.”

In compliance with the above provision, CAN hereby gives formal notice of its intention to organize and hold the said peaceful procession.

The protest is intended to provide citizens with a peaceful platform to express their concerns and to petition His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on this matter of national importance. We anticipate the participation of a large number of citizens.

Participants will assemble at Lumley Beach and proceed through:

Stadium Car Park → Savage Street → St. John → Sanders Street → Siaka Stevens Street → State House.

CAN emphasizes that the protest and procession will be peaceful, orderly and non-violent. Participants will be encouraged to respect the law, public and private property, security personnel and other members of the public.

Given the anticipated size of the gathering, we respectfully request the Sierra Leone Police to make appropriate arrangements for crowd management, traffic control, public safety and emergency access, and to engage CAN representatives concerning the practical arrangements for the procession.

CAN remains committed 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.

Please accept, Sir, the assurances of our highest consideration.

Yours faithfully,



Thomas Moore Conteh

Executive Director

Citizens Advocacy Network



CC:

1. The Speaker of Parliament
2. The Leader of Government Business
3. The Opposition Leader
4. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
5. The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone
6. The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Sierra Leone
7. Delegation of the European Union to Sierra Leone
8. The United States Embassy, Freetown
9. The British High Commission, Freetown
10. Ghana High Commission
11. Nigeria High Commission
12. Gambia High Commission
13. Embassy of Guinea
14. Embassy of Liberia
15. Civil Society Leaders
16. The Fourth Estate
17. The General Public
18. The File