Parliament Enacts National Security and Intelligence Law, Establishes State Protection Service
Sierra Leone’s Parliament has passed the National Security and Central Intelligence Bill 2025 into law following a heated and closely contested debate among lawmakers.
The newly enacted legislation repeals and replaces the National Security and Central Intelligence Act of 2023, expanding the legal framework governing both internal and external security operations in the country.
A key provision of the new law is the establishment of a State Protection Service (SPS), a specialized unit tasked with providing high-level security to top state officials. Beneficiaries of the SPS will include the President, Vice President, their immediate family members, the Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Justices of the Supreme Court, as well as former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Speakers, and other designated VIPs.
Lawmakers say the move is aimed at strengthening national security architecture and ensuring the safety of critical state actors. However, the bill’s passage followed intense deliberations, reflecting differing views on its scope and implications.
The new law is expected to play a significant role in shaping Sierra Leone’s security governance, with particular emphasis on coordination, intelligence gathering, and the protection of key public officials.
