Isabella Carter
Sierra Leone's transition from a British colony to an independent republic has been marked by several constitutional transformations. One of the most significant changes was the adoption of a one-party constitution in 1978, which lasted until 1992. This move towards a single-party state, dominated by the All People's Congress (APC), was accompanied by increased executive powers for the president and extended presidential term limits. However, the one-party rule was a source of national disunity, mistrust, and corruption, and it frustrated democratic progress. In the early 1990s, opposition to one-party rule grew stronger, and Sierra Leone transitioned back to a multi-party democracy. This period also saw the country's civil war and a series of military coups, which further contributed to the country's social and economic decline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of adoption | 1978 |
| Type of government | One-party state |
| Ruling party | All People's Congress (APC) |
| Leader | Siaka Stevens |
| Opposition party | Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) |
| Effect on opposition party | Absorbed into the ruling party |
| Effect on parliament | Dominated by a single party |
| Presidential term limits | Extended from four to seven years |
| Electoral Commission | Controlled by the President |
| Result | Severe corruption, poor economic growth, cronyism, poor governance |
| Duration | 1978–1992 |
| Suspension | April 1992 |
| Reason for suspension | Military coup led by Valentine Strasser |
| Post-suspension government | National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) |
| Post-suspension constitution | Suspended |
| Multi-party democracy restoration | Early 1990s |
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What You'll Learn
The 1978 one-party state constitution
Sierra Leone became independent from Great Britain in 1961 and initially opted for a parliamentary system within the British Commonwealth. In 1967, Siaka Stevens, representing the All People's Congress (APC) party, won the general elections and became the Prime Minister. In 1971, the parliamentary system was abolished in favour of a presidential system, with Stevens becoming Sierra Leone's first executive President.
In 1978, a new constitution was adopted via referendum, replacing the multi-party system with a single-party state. This new constitution, known as the 1978 one-party state constitution, significantly altered the country's political landscape. The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), the second-largest political force in the country, was absorbed into Stevens' APC, which became the only recognised political party. This move increased executive powers and gave the President control over the Electoral Commission, making the parliamentarians primarily accountable to the President.
The one-party state lasted until 1991 when a referendum repealed the 1978 constitution and reinstated multi-party politics. This change was influenced by external events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and pressure from Western countries for democratisation. Additionally, socio-economic conditions in Sierra Leone had worsened, and there were increasing calls for a more liberalised political system. President Momoh, who succeeded Stevens in 1985, appointed a National Constitution Review Commission to recommend constitutional changes, leading to the adoption of a new constitution in 1991 that recognised the separation of powers and provided for oversight and institutional accountability.
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The end of one-party rule
Sierra Leone's one-party rule, which lasted from 1978 to 1992, was established by a constitutional amendment that introduced a one-party state and made the All People's Congress (APC) the only legally recognised party in the country. This amendment was a significant setback for democratic progress in Sierra Leone, as it effectively banned opposition parties and established authoritarian politics.
Internally, Sierra Leone was facing an extreme period of economic decline, social disintegration, and political corruption. The government was widely criticised for its poor governance, severe corruption, poor economic growth, cronyism, and suppression of political pluralism. In 1990, the United Nations Development Program ranked Sierra Leone as one of the lowest countries in terms of its Human Development Index.
In response to these challenges, members of the Sierra Leone Bar Association voted unanimously in 1990 for a return to multi-party democracy, citing one-party rule as a source of national disunity, mistrust, poverty, and corruption. Student groups also played a significant role in advocating for a return to multi-party elections. Facing increasing pressure, President Momoh appointed a 35-member National Constitution Review Commission to recommend constitutional changes. This ultimately led to the drafting of a new constitution that would restore multiparty politics.
However, the transition to multiparty democracy was not without obstacles. In April 1992, a military coup led by Valentine Strasser resulted in the suspension of the constitution, the banning of all political parties, and the concentration of powers in Strasser's National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). It was not until 1996 that power was returned to civilian rule, the constitution was reinstated, and Ahmad Kabbah was elected as president. Unfortunately, Kabbah's rule was short-lived, as he was ousted in another military coup in March 1997. It was only after Nigerian-led ECOMOG forces drove out the junta in 1998 that the constitution was fully reinstated, and Kabbah was restored as president.
The 1991 constitution, which ended one-party rule, made significant commitments to personal liberty, democracy, and fundamental human rights. It also introduced a two-round presidential election system and provided for the election of Members of Parliament based on proportional representation.
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The transition to multi-party elections
Sierra Leone's transition to multi-party elections was a complex and protracted process that spanned several years and involved multiple political actors and societal forces. In 1990, the country found itself in a dire situation, ranking extremely low on the Human Development Index due to extreme economic decline, social disintegration, and political corruption.
The end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall exerted external pressures for democratization, with the United States and the IMF conditioning financial assistance on evidence of democratic reforms. These external forces aligned with growing internal pressures for political liberalization as socio-economic conditions worsened. Student groups and a socially extended coalition of opposition forces demanded an end to the one-party rule, citing it as a source of national disunity, mistrust, poverty, and corruption.
In response to these pressures, President Momoh appointed a 35-member National Constitution Review Commission in 1990 to recommend constitutional changes. This commission ultimately proposed drafting a new constitution to restore multi-party politics, which President Momoh accepted. However, the process of getting the new constitution through Parliament faced challenges, and a proposed bicameral legislature was rejected by the government.
In August 1991, voters approved the new constitution in a referendum, marking a significant step towards multi-party elections. However, the country's political instability and the ongoing conflict with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) prevented the immediate implementation of the 1991 multiparty constitution. It was not until February 1996 that parliamentary and presidential elections were finally held under this constitution, resulting in the election of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah as president.
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The role of the President
Sierra Leone's 1978 Constitution, which replaced the multi-party system with a single-party state, significantly increased the president's powers and extended term limits from four to seven years. The constitution also gave the president the power to appoint the Electoral Commissioners and the Chief Justice (head of the judiciary).
The president of Sierra Leone is the head of state, the head of government, and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. As the head of the executive branch of the Sierra Leone government, the president implements laws passed by parliament and has influence over members of the party in the legislative branch of Parliament. The president constitutionally appoints judges of the Sierra Leone Judicial branch, including judges of the high court, the court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. The president heads a Cabinet of ministers, which must be approved by Parliament. The president is the most powerful and influential person in the government of Sierra Leone and is addressed as "His Excellency."
The president may issue a Proclamation of a state of public emergency when there is an actual breakdown of public order and safety or a clear and present danger of such a breakdown. During a period of public emergency, the president may take measures to maintain and secure peace, order, and good government. The president may also, acting on the advice of a committee appointed by the Cabinet, grant a pardon or respite to any person convicted of any offence against the laws of Sierra Leone, or substitute or remit the punishment.
The president is elected by an absolute majority vote in two different rounds. If tied, the election winner is decided in a second-round election within fourteen days. The president's election must take place during the state of his office, with the former's term expiring after three months. During times of war, a president's term may be extended beyond the pre-determined two five-year terms, but only in half-year increments.
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The impact of constitutional amendments
Sierra Leone's constitutional history is a long and complex one, with various amendments made since the colonial era. The impact of these amendments has been mixed, with some promoting deeper participation and democracy, while others have facilitated repression and dictatorship.
The 1863 Blackhall Constitution, for example, sparked political reforms by recognising the need for African representation in the colonial regime's political administration. However, African representation remained negligible, with only two African representatives in the Legislative Council, which formulated the laws for the colony. This constitution was replaced by the Slater Constitution in 1924, which increased African representation in the Legislative Council to eight representatives, a step towards greater democracy.
In 1961, Sierra Leone gained independence from Great Britain and opted for a parliamentary system within the British Commonwealth. However, in 1967, Siaska Stevens and his All People's Congress (APC) party won the general elections, and in 1971, the parliamentary system was abolished in favour of a presidential system, with Stevens as the executive President. This constitutional change increased executive powers and extended presidential term limits, marking a shift towards authoritarian politics.
The most significant amendment towards a one-party state came in 1978, when a new constitution was adopted via referendum. This constitution replaced the multi-party system with a single-party state, absorbing the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) into Stevens' APC. This move officially banned opposition parties, further entrenching authoritarian rule. The period that followed was characterised by political violence, repression, and economic decline.
In the early 1990s, opposition to one-party rule grew stronger, with social coalitions demanding a liberalised political system. President Momoh appointed a National Constitution Review Commission, which recommended a return to multi-party democracy. In 1991, a new constitution was adopted, allowing for a transition towards multi-party elections. However, this constitution was short-lived, as Sierra Leone descended into civil war, and the constitution was suspended by a military coup in 1992.
In 1996, power was transferred back to civilian rule, and the constitution was reinstated, marking a return to multi-party democracy. The new constitution made commitments to personal liberty, democracy, and fundamental human rights, a significant shift from the previous one-party system.
In summary, the impact of constitutional amendments in Sierra Leone has been varied. While some amendments, like the Blackhall and Slater Constitutions, increased democratic participation and representation, others, like the 1978 shift to a one-party state, facilitated repression and authoritarian rule. The most recent constitutional changes since the 1990s have aimed to restore and strengthen multi-party democracy in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
In 1978, Sierra Leone transitioned to a one-party state with the adoption of a new constitution. This constitution replaced the multi-party system and made the All People's Congress (APC) the only recognised political party in the country.
The one-party constitution in Sierra Leone led to suppressed political pluralism, with the APC dominating the political landscape until 1992. This situation resulted in severe corruption, poor economic growth, cronyism, and poor governance.
In the early 1990s, opposition to one-party rule in Sierra Leone grew stronger due to external pressures for democratisation and internal socio-economic issues. Student groups and a socially extended coalition advocated for a return to multi-party elections. In 1990, the Sierra Leone Bar Association voted for a transition to multi-party democracy, and a new constitution was adopted in 1991.
The 1991 constitution in Sierra Leone restored multi-party politics and made commitments to personal liberty, democracy, and fundamental human rights. It provided for a two-round presidential election and a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system.
