Freetown, 17th August, 2026– The Inter‑Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) has called on lawmakers, the judiciary, and President Julius Maada Bio to act with patriotism and national consciousness as Parliament grapples with a stalemate over the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Representing Muslims, Christians, and other faith communities across the country, the IRCSL commended both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) for their earlier Agreement for National Unity (ANU), which paved the way for the creation of the Tripartite Committee. That committee comprising government, opposition, and development partners produced 80 recommendations aimed at strengthening governance, democracy, and electoral credibility.
In its statement, the IRCSL emphasized that the Constitution is “the supreme law of the land” and must not be treated as the property of any political party. The Council expressed grave concern over the current parliamentary impasse, warning that delays in resolving constitutional requirements for amendments risk undermining national peace and stability.
“The Constitution affects both present and future generations. It must therefore be handled with the highest degree of responsibility, transparency and national consciousness,” the Council noted, urging lawmakers to respect the legitimate views expressed by citizens during consultations.
The IRCSL praised Members of Parliament for their active participation in the amendment process but stressed the need for renewed dialogue. It urged Parliament to reconvene and continue deliberations with the goal of finding common ground and reaching a nationally acceptable consensus.
The Council further appealed to all stakeholders including Parliament, the Judiciary, and the Presidency to act “in a God‑fearing manner, guided by the national interest and constitutional principles.”
As a faith‑based body committed to peace and unity, the IRCSL concluded its statement with a prayer that God/Allah would grant lawmakers “wisdom, humility, mutual respect and the grace to love one another,” reminding leaders that Sierra Leone belongs to all citizens and that constitutional reform must serve democracy and development.
