By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 28th January 2026- The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, says there has been no public push for a third-term presidency as Sierra Leone’s Constitutional Review Process moves forward, a situation he described as unprecedented in the country’s political history.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s weekly government press conference, Bah said the absence of such debate reflects President Julius Maada Bio’s clear commitment to democratic principles.
“This is the first time we are going through a constitutional review without hearing noise about a third term,” the Minister told journalists. “That is because the President has been firm in his respect for the two-term limit in the Constitution.”
He added that President Bio has consistently rejected any idea of extending presidential tenure.
“The President has made it abundantly clear that there will be no third-term agenda in this country,” Bah said.
Providing background, the Minister noted that past constitutional reform efforts in Sierra Leone were often overshadowed by public suspicion that changes could be used to prolong political leadership, sometimes triggering national tension.
“This process is not about any political party or individual,” he stressed. “It is about strengthening our democracy and making the Constitution work better for the people of Sierra Leone.”
Bah also explained that the Bill recently presented to Parliament by the Attorney General is largely focused on electoral matters.
“What is before Parliament now deals mainly with elections,” he said. “Other constitutional reforms that require a referendum will be taken to the people at a later stage.”
He assured that the government remains committed to transparency and public participation throughout the reform process.
