Freetown, 25th September 2026- The Lawyers’ Society has held talks with the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) on electoral reforms aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s democracy ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The meeting, held on September 24 at the Society’s Secretariat in Freetown, brought together ECONEC’s Post-Election Follow-up and Needs Assessment Mission led by ECOWAS Resident Representative Ambassador John Azumah and Liberian National Electoral Commission Co-Chairperson Counsellor Reeves. The Lawyers’ Society was represented by its President, Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah, Esq.
Discussions centered on lessons from the 2023 elections, the role of the Bar and Judiciary in safeguarding governance, and the implementation of the Tripartite Agreement. Both sides agreed that credible reforms are essential to ensuring transparency and public trust in the 2028 polls.
Ambassador Azumah underscored the importance of engaging civil society and professional bodies, describing the Lawyers’ Society as “an integral player in Sierra Leone’s democratization process.” He urged the Society to continue championing accountability and legal reforms.
Despite challenges, including what it described as the state’s refusal to register the organization, the Lawyers’ Society reaffirmed its commitment to advancing governance and the rule of law. The Society announced plans to submit a position paper to ECONEC with concrete recommendations for free and fair elections.
The meeting marks a significant step in regional efforts to consolidate democracy in Sierra Leone, as ECOWAS intensifies post-election assessments across member states to strengthen electoral institutions and processes.
