By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
Freetown, Sierra Leone — A Sierra Leonean civil society organisation has notified the police of plans to stage a peaceful protest and procession through the capital on August 26, saying it wants citizens to express their disapproval of what it describes as Parliament’s violation of constitutional provisions in the process of amending the country’s 1991 Constitution.
The Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) said the demonstration would also provide citizens with an opportunity to petition President Julius Maada Bio on what the organisation considers a matter of national importance.
In a letter dated August 17 and addressed to Inspector-General of Police William Fayia Sellu, CAN formally notified the Sierra Leone Police of its intention to organise the protest and procession.
The planned action is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, with CAN saying it anticipates the participation of a large number of citizens.
What CAN is protesting
The organisation says its concern centres on the process through which Parliament is seeking to amend the 1991 Constitution.
CAN alleges that prescribed constitutional provisions have been violated during the process. The letter, however, does not identify the specific provisions it believes have been breached or provide details of the particular constitutional amendments under challenge.
The group says its planned demonstration is intended to give citizens a peaceful platform to express those concerns and to petition the president.
The move comes with constitutional questions often carrying significant political and institutional implications in Sierra Leone, where the 1991 Constitution provides the framework for the country’s governance and the exercise of public power.
Protesters to march through Freetown
CAN has proposed a route that will take protesters across several major parts of Freetown.
Participants are expected to assemble at Lumley Beach before proceeding through:
Stadium Car Park → Savage Street → St. John → Sanders Street → Siaka Stevens Street → State House.
The route will take the procession through parts of the capital where traffic and pedestrian activity can be heavy.
Anticipating a substantial turnout, CAN has asked the police to make appropriate preparations for crowd management, traffic control, public safety and emergency access.
It has also requested that its representatives engage with the police over the practical arrangements for the procession.
Organisers stress peaceful action
CAN has repeatedly characterised the planned demonstration as peaceful, orderly and non-violent.
The organisation says participants will be encouraged to respect the law, public and private property, security personnel and other members of the public.
It has also framed the planned procession as an exercise in constitutionalism and citizens’ rights, saying it remains committed to the rule of law and the peaceful expression of public concerns.
The notification cites Section 17(1) of the Public Order Act, 1965 (Act No. 46 of 1965), which requires a person intending to organise or participate in a procession to first notify the police in writing.
CAN says its letter to the Inspector-General constitutes formal notification in compliance with that requirement.
National and international stakeholders notified
The letter was not sent only to the police.
CAN copied the Speaker of Parliament, Leader of Government Business, Opposition Leader and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, as well as the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone.
International institutions and diplomatic missions were also copied, including the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Delegation of the European Union, United States Embassy, British High Commission, Ghana High Commission, Nigeria High Commission, Gambia High Commission, Embassy of Guinea and Embassy of Liberia.
Civil society leaders, the Fourth Estate and the general public were also included among those copied.
A civil society group focused on accountability
CAN describes itself as a non-profit organisation working to strengthen and expand democracy, human rights, the rule of law and electoral processes in Sierra Leone.
It says it monitors and evaluates government policies and programmes while working with citizens to build political and civic consciousness, safeguard elections and promote participation, openness and accountability in government.
The August 26 demonstration therefore places the organisation’s stated focus on constitutionalism, civic participation and accountability directly into public action.
For CAN, the protest is about more than a procession through Freetown. It is an attempt to bring citizens into a debate over how the country’s supreme law is amended and whether the constitutional procedures governing that process are being followed.
The organisation says it is looking to the Sierra Leone Police for cooperation in ensuring that the planned procession takes place peacefully and safely.
The letter does not state whether the police have approved the proposed route or imposed any conditions on the planned demonstration.
What happens between now and August 26 will determine how the authorities and organisers manage what CAN says could be a large gathering — and how the wider public responds to its challenge over the constitutional amendment process.
