Abdul Fatoma, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy International (CHRDI), has expressed serious concerns regarding weaknesses in Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights.
During an appearance on AYV’s Wake Up Sierra Leone, Fatoma cited Section 5(2)(A) of the 1991 Constitution, which states that sovereignty belongs to the people. He argued that this principle is not adequately reflected in practice.
“Instead of democracy protecting people, we see democracy protecting power in our own context,” he remarked.
Fatoma also highlighted troubling behaviour among security personnel, referencing a video that reportedly showed a police officer boasting about killings. He warned that such actions could erode public trust in institutions meant to safeguard lives and raise significant concerns about accountability within the security sector.
In his critique of Parliament, Fatoma noted a gap between the laws passed and how some lawmakers comply with them. “You have Parliament, which passes laws, and Parliamentarians who blatantly disrespect those laws,” he said.
He further lamented the lack of funding for institutions tasked with upholding constitutional rights and democratic governance. According to Fatoma, insufficient resources hamper these bodies’ ability to protect citizens’ rights as guaranteed by both Sierra Leone’s Constitution and various international agreements.
Without properly funded and operational institutions to enforce rights and ensure accountability, he warned, constitutional guarantees risk becoming merely theoretical.
Fatoma’s comments have ignited ongoing discussions about constitutional accountability, institutional independence, police behaviour, parliamentary integrity, and the effectiveness of democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
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