“Concentration of Power in the Executive Weakens Democratic Institutions” – Former SLPP Secretary General

By: Andrew Chokpeleh

Freetown, 24^th February 2026- Sulaiman Bajan Tejan Sie, former Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), has sounded the alarm over what he describes as excessive executive powers entrenched in the Constitution and their misuse by those in authority.

He insists that the country’s supreme law clearly defines the roles and limitations of the three arms of government, and those boundaries must be respected if democracy is to thrive.

Tejan Sie underscored the Judiciary’s role as a vital check on both the Executive and Parliament. He pointed out that in many countries, Chief Justices are appointed from the highest courts, often with decades of legal experience. In Sierra Leone, however, he lamented that individuals can be elevated to Chief Justice from lower courts or even without the minimum eight years of legal practice. Worse still, he claimed, such officials can be removed or replaced without the public ever being told why.

According to him, the Judiciary must safeguard the Constitution and ensure that government and state institutions act within the law.

“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It establishes separation of powers to guarantee mutual respect and adherence to the rule of law,” he stressed.

But Tejan Sie warned that the concentration of power in the executive arm, and its alleged abuse, is steadily weakening democratic institutions.

“Democracy may continue to function, but it becomes vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation when institutions are not strong and independent,” he cautioned.

He argued that executive powers should be reduced and brought in line with those of Parliament and the Judiciary to prevent excessive control over national institutions. He also called for greater support for electoral bodies to ensure their independence.

“The Electoral Commissioner must be able to carry out duties fairly and impartially, regardless of who appointed them or any external instructions,” he said.

For Tejan Sie, the path forward is clear, Sierra Leone must strengthen its institutions, uphold the Constitution, and rebalance power to protect democracy from executive overreach.