Proposed Constitutional Amendments Empower Parliament to Remove Vice President
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice has disclosed that proposed amendments to Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution will formally grant Parliament the power to remove a Vice President, as part of broader constitutional reforms currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny.
Making his presentation before Members of Parliament, the Attorney General explained that the proposed provision was informed by past constitutional ambiguities, notably the Sam-Sumana case, in which the former Vice President was removed after being expelled from the political party that sponsored his election under the All People’s Congress (APC).
According to the Attorney General, the existing Constitution does not expressly state the consequences of a President or Vice President resigning from, or being expelled by, the political party under which they were elected. While such a loss of party membership may raise serious legitimacy concerns, he noted that the current constitutional framework does not provide any automatic mechanism for removal from office.
Clarifying the government’s position, the Attorney General stressed that loss of political party membership alone should not automatically create a vacancy in the presidency or vice presidency. However, he emphasized that a clear constitutional process must exist to address the political and governance implications of such an occurrence, hence the proposal to empower Parliament with removal authority.
On electoral reforms, the Attorney General revealed that following extensive consultations and recommendations, Proportional Representation (PR) has been selected as the preferred electoral system. He cited the proposed amendment to Section 74(1)(b), which states:
“Members of Parliament shall be elected through a system of proportional representation, with the detailed mode, method of nomination, and conduct of such elections prescribed by or under an Act of Parliament.”
The Attorney General further addressed amendments relating to dual citizenship. He disclosed that Section 76(1)(a) of the Constitution has been revised by deleting the clause that disqualifies persons who voluntarily acquire citizenship of another country.
Under the newly proposed provision, a person shall not be qualified for election as a Member of Parliament if:
(a) he or she is a naturalised citizen of Sierra Leone.
The proposed amendments, according to the Attorney General, are aimed at strengthening constitutional clarity, improving democratic accountability, and preventing future governance disputes arising from legal loopholes.
