Parliament of Sierra Leone

Parliament of Sierra Leone
Name	Parliament of Sierra Leone
Legislature	5th Parliament of the Second Republic
House type	Unicameral
Body	Sierra Leone
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Abass Bundu
Leader2 type	Deputy Speaker
Leader2	Segepoh Solomon Thomas
Leader3 type	Leader of the House
Leader3	Mathew Sahr Nyuma
Leader4 type	Leader of the Opposition
Leader4	Abdul Kargbo
Members	149
Political groups1	Government (81), SLPP (81), Opposition (68), APC (68)
Term length	5 years
Voting system1	First-past-the-post (132 seats), Proportional representation (14 seats), Appointed by the President (3 seats)
Last election1	24 June 2023
Meeting place	Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown
Website	https://www.parliament.gov.sl/

Parliament of Sierra Leone is the supreme legislative authority of the Republic of Sierra Leone. It is a unicameral body responsible for making laws, approving the national budget, and providing oversight of the executive branch led by the President of Sierra Leone. The current Parliament, inaugurated after the 2023 Sierra Leonean general election, is dominated by the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party and is led by Speaker Abass Bundu.

History

The origins of the legislature trace back to the colonial era under British rule, with the establishment of a Legislative Council for the Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate. Following independence in 1961, the Westminster-style House of Representatives was formed. The Parliament was suspended following the 1997 coup by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and was restored after the end of the Sierra Leone Civil War. The current unicameral system was established by the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which replaced the previous bicameral legislature that included a House of Representatives and a Paramount Chiefs' body.

Composition and structure

The Parliament is composed of 149 members known as Members of Parliament. Of these, 132 are directly elected from single-member constituencies across the nation's districts and the Western Area. A further 14 seats are filled through a proportional representation system reserved for chiefdom representatives, and the remaining three seats are appointed by the President. The presiding officer is the Speaker, assisted by a Deputy Speaker. Key administrative and procedural support is provided by the Clerk of Parliament and their staff.

Powers and functions

The Parliament holds the exclusive power to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, and good government of Sierra Leone. Its core functions include scrutinizing and passing the annual budget presented by the Ministry of Finance, ratifying international treaties, and approving declarations of a state of emergency. It exercises oversight of the executive through committees like the Public Accounts Committee and the Appointments Committee, and has the authority to initiate motions of no confidence in the government. The body also plays a role in the process of amending the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

Elections and membership

General elections for Parliament are held every five years, concurrent with the presidential election, under the supervision of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone. The first-past-the-post system is used for the 132 elected constituency seats. To be eligible for membership, a candidate must be a citizen of Sierra Leone, at least 21 years old, and able to speak and read the English language with proficiency. The current composition is led by the Sierra Leone People's Party, with the All People's Congress forming the official opposition led by Abdul Kargbo.

Building and facilities

The Parliament convenes in the Parliament Building, a prominent structure located on Tower Hill in the capital, Freetown. The building, which houses the main chamber, offices for members, and committee rooms, is a historic site near other key institutions like the State House and the Supreme Court. The complex has undergone several renovations, including significant repairs following damage during the Sierra Leone Civil War.

Recent developments

Following the disputed 2023 general elections, the main opposition All People's Congress initially boycotted the new Parliament, citing electoral irregularities, but later took their seats after negotiations facilitated by mediators including the ECOWAS and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Recent legislative activity has focused on debates over the 2024 Appropriation Act, anti-corruption measures, and constitutional review processes. The Parliament has also been involved in international engagements, including hosting delegations from the African Union and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Category:National legislatures Category:Politics of Sierra Leone Category:Government of Sierra Leone