ILRAJ

Big moments for young minds in Sierra Leone! ✨ The @UBAFoundation, through @UbaSierra, has officially launched the 2025/2026 UBA National Essay Competition. This year’s topic: "Gender-Based Violence in Schools: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions" giving pupils across the country the opportunity to raise their voices, share bold ideas, and inspire positive change in society. The conversation starts now. Who will write the winning story? ✍🏽 #UBASierraLeone #UBAFoundation #NationalEssayCompetition #UBANEC20252026 #MBSSE #ILRAJ #EducationForChange

Citizens across Sierra Leone have petitioned the Right to Access Information Commission to intervene after Parliament failed to respond to requests for the contact details of Members of Parliament. Read More Here: truthmedia.sl/civil-society-… #TruthTellers #NarTrueDaeLas

Citizens across Sierra Leone asked for info to access MPs. Parliament stayed silent. After 15 days with no response, citizens & civic groups have asked the RAIC to review Parliament’s failure to respond. Access to information is a right. #InfoNaMiRayt #PeoplePowerSL

#UBASierraLeone #UBAFoundation #NationalEssayCompetition #UBANEC20252026 #MBSSE #ILRAJ #EducationForChange @UBASalone @UBAFoundation

#InternationalWomensDay #zainabsheriff #SierraLeone

@ChernorMomoh01 THANK YOU

@ILRAJ2 Check the flyer and see if there’s a need to make the necessary adjustments. 🙏

Unlocking Young Talent! UBA Foundation & UBA Sierra Leone partner with MBSSE & ILRAJ for the 2025/2026 National Essay Competition! Prizes: scholarships, cash, laptops for top 12. Mentorship, video pitches & epic finale await. Launch: March 13! Stay tuned. @UBASierraLeone @mbsse #NEC20252026 #UBAEssaySL #SierraLeone

Zainab Sheriff and the price of dissent @EngageSalone March 7, 2026 Sierra Leonean entertainer, model and political activist Zainab Sheriff has been in jail since her first court appearance on 23 February, 2026. She was denied bail again by Magistrate Braima Jah @JudiciaryofSL during her third appearance at the Pademba Road Magistrates Court. The matter came up again on 11 March, 2026. This means the activist and mother of a young child will remain separated from her family and will probably spend International Women’s Day behind bars at the Correctional Centre in Freetown. Zainab’s case—from her arrest to arraignment and continued incarceration—raises several troubling questions: about institutional independence, about the State’s intolerance for dissent, and about a pattern that increasingly points to punishment, intimidation and persecution. It also raises concerns about what this means for women’s participation in politics. Let’s unpack it. What we are witnessing with the treatment of Zainab Sheriff is the blunt exercise of power, as the State deploys the full machinery of its authority to achieve two outcomes: punishment and intimidation. Punishment before the case against her has been established or proven, and without regard for the presumption of innocence. As one commentator put it in Krio, “Zainab de pay for in mot.” It is scary that in a democracy, people would be made to pay for what they say regardless of the weight it bears. Never mind that the All People’s Congress (APC) has already been fined by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) over Zainab’s utterances. Her continued detention represents a very high price to pay for expressing oneself in a way that makes the powerful uncomfortable. Legal experts have argued that bail is the default position under the new Criminal Procedure Act for offences such as the one she faces, unless there are compelling reasons to deny it. What we have been told so far is simply that the case is at a “crucial stage.” Interesting. This case, centered on Zainab Sheriff, carries broader implications for women’s participation in politics. It sends a loud and unmistakable message: women may be welcome in politics, but they must not bring their authentic selves, especially women like Zainab who do not pull their punches. The government often boasts about its track record in advancing women’s rights and political participation. On paper, it has indeed passed several laws and reforms that favour women. Yet the same government has built an unenviable record in its treatment of women leaders who either belong to the opposition or simply refuse to fall in line even when the line seems crooked. Examples include Femi Claudius-Cole, @ClaudiusFemi Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, @yakisawyerr Zainab Sheriff herself, who has been arrested before, Lara Taylor-Pearce, who was pushed out of office while serving as the country’s top public auditor. More recently, the young Edwina Jamiru, who does not identify with any political side, was locked up again in a police cell for at least a week before being quietly released with the help of women lawyers and rights groups. Zainab’s case may well follow the same familiar script: detain, punish, release—and then allow the case to quietly fade away. The impunity surrounding such behaviour is staggering. @sesayalpha @IsataMahoi #SierraLeone #InternationalWomensDay @MichaelBasita As we discuss the case of #ZainabSheriff and others who have had to endure the excesses of power, it is useful to reflect on Tukumbi Lumumba-Kasongo’s analysis of the African state’s security arrangements. He argues that the security architecture in many countries has been directed against the poor people and not against the real enemies.  “In recent years, women, students, the lumpen proletariat, and peasants have been the particular targets of the state’s security,” Lumumba-Kasongo writes. “In short,” he continues, “the police and military apparatus in many African countries have been anti-people and anti-development,” concluding that “the security of the state is an instrument of the ruling classes…” For a country that speaks loudly about women’s empowerment, the State’s treatment of women, particularly outspoken women suggests something very different. Too often, the issues border on free speech and are of little real consequence. So what message are we sending to young girls and women who may be considering a life in public service or politics? That they are welcome, but only if they remain “well-behaved” and never dare to shake the table? Sections of civil society and women’s groups have already called for Zainab’s release on bail. LAWYERS @L_A_W_Y_E_R_S_ have demanded that her rights be fully respected. The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ), @ILRAJ2 which has also been involved in the matter, has launched a social media campaign calling for her release, noting that “freedom for Zainab Sheriff is freedom for all women in Sierra Leone.” Will common sense, compassion and respect for rights prevail ahead of International Women’s Day? #SierraLeone

March 8 is international women's day. Grant bail to #ZainabSheriff

It is concerning to see congratulatory messages of an appointment that, by the clear terms of Section 32(3) of the Constitution, remains subject to parliamentary approval. Until Parliament approves, the appointment process is incomplete. To congratulate the chief electoral commissioner before parliamentary approval risks conveying an unfortunate message: that the outcome is already predetermined, that Parliament’s role is ceremonial, and that constitutional safeguards are mere procedural formalities rather than binding requirements. In a climate where public trust in the Electoral Commission is already fragile, projecting inevitability before constitutional completion deepens suspicion.

Citizens from all 16 districts + 9 CSO/media groups filed RAI requests yesterday for MPs' contacts. All citizens need access to our reps, esp. amid Constitutional reform. Read our press release for more details. #InfoNaMiRayt #OpenParliament #PeoplePowerSL #WiYoneConstitution

We commend the legal efforts of AdvocAid that secured the release on bail of Ms. Edwina Hawa Jamiru. We join the call for the reforms outlined by AdvocAid, including a sober national reflection on the responsible and rights-based application of our cyber laws — ensuring they safeguard justice without undermining fundamental freedoms.

ILRAJ Urges Withdrawal of Chief Electoral Commissioner Nomination Pending Constitutional Reform Freetown, Sierra Leone – 13th February 2026 The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) urges government to reconsider the proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), as outlined in a letter from the Office of the President dated February 10, 2026. While vacancies in key institutions must be filled, this nomination, made under Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution, raises serious legal, procedural, and democratic concerns. It risks undermining ongoing governance reforms, particularly in the aftermath of the disputed 2023 elections and the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee. Premature with Pending Constitutional Reforms The Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act 2025 Bill, now before Parliament, proposes a revised Section 32 that introduces a Search and Nomination Committee to ensure transparent, merit-based appointments to the ECSL. Proceeding with a substantive appointment before Parliament concludes deliberations preempts these reforms and weakens their purpose. Mr. Alpha already serves in an acting capacity, ensuring continuity. Rushing to confirm him permanently appears to bypass the legislative process and risks entrenching outdated practices before new safeguards take effect. ILRAJ urges the President to withdraw the proposal and await the Bill’s passage. Pattern of Partisan Appointments Undermining Independence This nomination reflects a broader pattern in which individuals perceived as aligned with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) are placed in leadership roles of institutions meant to be independent. During the 2023 elections, several ECSL commissioners were widely perceived to be close to the ruling party, contributing to public distrust. Similar concerns surround the current leadership of the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC). Such appointments erode institutional neutrality and risk turning oversight bodies into extensions of executive influence. ILRAJ calls for a commitment to appointing impartial, non-partisan leaders to restore credibility. Insufficient Consultation Under Section 32(3) Section 32(3) requires the President to appoint ECSL members “after consultation with the leaders of all registered political parties” and with parliamentary approval. Historically, this has been reduced to sending a brief letter requesting feedback within three working days. This approach falls short of genuine consultation and excludes meaningful input from opposition parties. This practice undermines the constitutional intent of multiparty consensus. Consultations must involve substantive engagement, not procedural formalities. ILRAJ urges President Julius Maada Bio to withdraw the nomination, conduct authentic consultations, and align with the Tripartite Recommendation 36 and pending constitutional reforms. We urge Parliament not to ratify any rushed appointment and prioritize reforms that truly empower citizens. We urge enhanced transparency to help reinforce confidence in our democracy. For inquiries, contact ILRAJ at ilraj@ilraj.org or visit ilraj.org.

@ILRAJ shares this video to explain proposed constitutional changes that may affect judicial independence. An independent judiciary protects rights and supports public confidence in the courts and the perception of it. Watch, discuss with others, and take part in informed public dialogue. #SierraLeone

This video explains proposed changes to the rules for removing the President and Vice President. These proposals affect checks on executive power and the balance between public authority and party control. Every citizen deserves clear information before such rules change. Watch, understand the issues, and share your views.

ILRAJ shares this short video in Krio to explain the proposed constitutional amendments. These changes affect every household and every voter. Clear understanding supports better decisions. Watch, share with others, and take part in community discussions.

This video forms part of ILRAJ’s public education series on the proposed constitutional amendments. The content uses Krio to support wider public understanding. Informed citizens strengthen democratic practice. Watch, reflect, and engage in public dialogue.

@ILRAJ2 presents this short video to explain key issues within the proposed constitutional amendments. The discussion uses Krio to reach more people and support public understanding. Constitutional change affects your rights, your vote, and how power works in #SierraLeone. Watch, listen carefully, and share your views. Public awareness and participation shape the future of the country.

This video breaks down parts of the proposed constitutional amendments in Krio. These changes affect how power is shared between citizens and political parties. Every citizen deserves clear information before decisions are made. Watch, reflect, and join the national conversation. #SierraLeone

@ILRAJ2 continues its public education series on the proposed constitutional amendments. This video explains key points in Krio to support informed public participation. A strong Constitution depends on an informed and engaged people. Your voice matters. #SierraLeone