Sierra Leone Lawmakers Face Bitter Deadlock Over Sweeping Constitutional Reform Bill

Sierra Leone’s Parliament remains locked in intense legislative gridlock over the sweeping Constitution Amendment Bill, following marathon debate sessions that have pushed lawmakers deep into the night.
Despite hours of closed-door negotiations led by the Speaker, political factions failed to reach a broad consensus on several major structural reforms, though they did agree to remove a controversial clause that would have allowed independent candidates to run for the presidency.
Deep divisions continue to split the House between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the opposition All People’s Congress, particularly over a proposed shift to a proportional representation electoral system and lowering the presidential election threshold.
As deliberations resume to secure the crucial two-thirds majority required for the Bill’s passage, lawmakers are weighing wide-ranging changes that include fixed election dates and a mandatory thirty percent quota for women nominees.