A Reflection by Rev. Fr. Peter Alpha Konteh
As a citizen of Sierra Leone and as a Catholic priest, I have followed with concern the controversy surrounding the passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the disagreement over the majority required for its passage.
I do not wish to approach this important national matter from the perspective of the Government or the Opposition. My concern is Sierra Leone, the integrity of our democratic institutions, respect for our Constitution, and the peace and unity of our people.
The Constitution is not the property of any political party. It belongs to the people of Sierra Leone. Governments come and go, political majorities change, and those who are in opposition today may be in government tomorrow. But the institutions and constitutional principles that protect our democracy must endure.
For this reason, constitutional amendments should never be treated merely as victories or defeats for political parties. They should be approached with seriousness, transparency, consultation and, wherever possible, broad national consensus.
Where there is a genuine disagreement about the interpretation of our Constitution, the answer should not be political hostility, insults or violence. The answer must be the rule of law and the use of the appropriate constitutional institutions to provide authoritative clarification.
Section 108 of our Constitution expressly addresses the alteration of the Constitution and sets out particular requirements for constitutional amendment. Given the seriousness of the present disagreement, I believe Sierra Leoneans deserve a clear and authoritative explanation of how the relevant constitutional provisions apply to this particular Bill.
This is not about embarrassing the Speaker, Parliament, the Government or the Opposition. It is about protecting public confidence in our democratic institutions.
I therefore respectfully appeal to our political leaders on all sides:
Let us lower the political temperature.
Let us avoid inflammatory language that could further divide our people.
Let constitutional and legal disagreements be resolved through constitutional and lawful means.
Let Parliament remain a place where opposing views can be heard and debated respectfully.
Let civil society, religious leaders, the legal profession, academics and ordinary citizens be given space to contribute constructively to discussions concerning fundamental changes to our Constitution.
Above all, let us remember that Sierra Leone is bigger than the SLPP, bigger than the APC, bigger than any Government, Opposition, President, Speaker or individual politician.
Our children will inherit the constitutional precedents we establish today.
As a priest, I am particularly concerned about peace. But peace does not simply mean the absence of demonstrations or disagreement. Genuine peace is built upon justice, truth, dialogue, respect for institutions and confidence that the same rules apply to everyone.
We have experienced enough political division in our beloved country. We must not allow another constitutional disagreement to deepen mistrust between Sierra Leoneans.
I therefore appeal to the Government and Opposition to engage one another in good faith. Where constitutional interpretation remains disputed, let the appropriate legal and constitutional processes provide clarity.
And I appeal especially to our young people: do not allow politicians to turn you against one another. You may belong to different political parties, tribes, regions or communities, but you are first and foremost Sierra Leoneans.
Let us disagree without becoming enemies.
Let us defend our Constitution without destroying our country.
Let us seek justice without abandoning peace.
And let those entrusted with political authority always remember that leadership is temporary, but the consequences of the precedents we establish can remain for generations.
May God grant wisdom to our President, our Parliament, our judiciary, our political leaders and all citizens.
May He protect our democracy, preserve our peace and help us build a Sierra Leone where justice, accountability, dialogue and national unity are stronger than partisan interests.
God bless Sierra Leone.
