Parliament Engages in Pre-Legislative Discussions on Constitutional Amendment Act, 2025

Parliament convened on the 26th January 2026 for critical pre-legislative discussions on the Constitutional Amendment Act, 2025. This proposed legislation aims to revise the nation’s foundational 1991 Constitution, setting the stage for a parliamentary debate.

Clerk of Parliament Karmoh K. Conteh opened proceedings by outlining the formal legislative journey required for any bill to become law. He emphasized that any constitutional change process must prioritize transparency and fairness above all else.

Legislative Committee Chairman Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh commended the technical preparation led by Attorney General Alpha Sesay Esq., stressing the profound national significance of the proposed amendments.

Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, acknowledged the session's importance but issued a firm caution. He noted that constitutional amendments demand a two-thirds majority and warned that bypassing due process risked derailing the entire effort. His primary concern centered on the omission of several key recommendations from earlier Tripartite consultations. "Failure to properly engage stakeholders and follow due process," he stated, "could compel my party to withdraw from these proceedings entirely."

In response, Majority Leader Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma defended Parliament’s record, assuring citizens that established, diligent procedures would be strictly followed. "Every proposed change will undergo exhaustive scrutiny before any consideration," he affirmed.

Attorney General Alpha Sesay directly addressed the widespread public interest, stating the government remains open to incorporating citizen perspectives. He clarified that the proposed amendments draw directly from the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Report and the Tripartite Recommendations. "Our ultimate commitment is to empower and protect every citizen through this process," Sesay concluded.

The Attorney General later used a detailed presentation to demonstrate precisely how the prior recommendations shaped the current amendment proposals. The session concluded with a substantive question-and-comment segment, where MPs and stakeholders raised pointed concerns, ensuring a robust and interactive start to this critical legislative journey.

Correspondent-Hassan Bangura

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