The Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) has informed the Sierra Leone Police that it plans to hold a peaceful protest and march on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.
In a letter dated 17 August 2026 to Inspector-General of Police William Fayia Sellu, CAN Executive Director Thomas Moore Conteh said the protest will give citizens a chance to raise their concerns and petition President Julius Maada Bio over what the group sees as Parliament breaking constitutional rules in the process of changing the 1991 Constitution.
CAN said it gave the notice under Section 17(1) of the Public Order Act of 1965, which requires organisers to inform the police in writing before holding a procession.
The group expects many people to join. The march will start at Lumley Beach, go through Stadium Car Park, Savage Street, St. John, Sanders Street and Siaka Stevens Street, and end at State House.
CAN stressed that the protest will be peaceful, orderly and non-violent. Participants are expected to respect the law, public and private property, security officers and other people.
The organisation has asked the police to prepare for crowd control, traffic management, public safety and emergency access because of the expected large turnout. It also wants to meet the police to discuss the practical arrangements.
CAN said it is organising the protest because of its belief in the Constitution, the rule of law and the right of citizens to protest peacefully.
“We therefore look forward to the cooperation of the Sierra Leone Police in ensuring that the planned procession is conducted peacefully and safely,” the group wrote in its letter.
Copies of the letter were sent to the Speaker of Parliament, the Leader of Government Business, the Opposition Leader, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the European Union Delegation, and the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Guinea and Liberia. Civil society leaders, the media and the general public were also copied.
The planned protest comes as Parliament continues to look at proposed changes to the 1991 Constitution. CAN says it is speaking out against what it believes are wrong steps in the amendment process.
