The Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC) has formally appealed to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio not to assent to the Constitutional Amendment Bill recently passed by Parliament, citing widespread public resentment and serious concerns over democratic principles and constitutional governance.
In a letter dated 13 August 2026 and addressed to the President at State House, Freetown, the Labour Congress stated that it represents the collective voice of workers across the nation and respectfully requests that the President withhold assent to the Bill.
The organisation noted that the legislation has generated widespread public resentment on almost all of its provisions.
The SLLC expressed grave concern that position papers submitted to Parliament by religious organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs), the Labour Congress itself, and other interest groups were not considered during the deliberations.
It argued that this disregard undermines the participatory spirit of constitutional reform and weakens confidence in democratic good governance.
The Congress said it is particularly apprehensive because the Bill “strips away the sovereignty of the people to elect their members of parliament freely, instead placing that sacred responsibility in the hands of political parties.”
It described this as an affront to the principles of democracy and to the sacrifices made by Sierra Leoneans to secure their rights to self-determination and to hold their representatives accountable.
Accordingly, the SLLC humbly requested that the President remit the Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration in light of the overwhelming reservation expressed by the people.
The letter also indicated that the Congress’s position paper on the Bill, which outlines its recommendations in detail, was attached for the President’s information.
The Labour Congress expressed trust in the President’s wisdom and commitment to safeguarding the democratic rights of Sierra Leoneans, and closed by looking forward to his usual cooperation.
