Government Urged to Expedite CRC Process

He referred to the Constitutional Review Process as a significant requirement of modern democracy as well as the attainment of stability and national progress, in any developed or developing nation across the globe.

Moses Massa informed journalists that his organization applauded the hard work of the Constitutional Review Committee, especially when the final draft report had been submitted to the President. 

Prior to the presentation of the report to President Ernest Bai Koroma, he further explained  that  Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law had been following the constitutional review process from its inception stage on to this  point. Noting that the ruling All Peoples Congress representatives and some seven members from   other political parties questioned the integrity of the entire process.

According to Moses Massa the committee report was initially signed by representatives from the ruling party, but they later withdrew their signatories on the grounds that some of the views expressed during consultations and validations with regards key recommendation on executive power were not captured in the report.

He quoted the Executive Director of Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Ibrahim Tommy to having said that Sierra Leone and its citizens deserve a 21^st century constitution that strengthens democracy, rule of law and human rights, and that power belongs to the citizens and not political parties or politicians.      

His organization, he went on fully recognized concerns raised by the ruling party and some opposition parties, which were pieced together as addendum to the report, stating that his entity strongly opposed to any consideration of such concerns, as they have the potential of undermine the will of the people and the reviewed constitution of the country.

He maintained that Carl applauded government for acting on one of the truth and reconciliation Commission recommendations, and finally accepting the Constitutional Review Committee Report. He added that his organization would continue to follow up on the report’s recommendations, for it not to be plunged into another round of needless controversy.

Carl Access to Justice Co-ordinator, Moses Massa concluded by stating that now that the constitutional Review Committee Report had been submitted to President Ernest Bai Koroma, he said his entity would continued exert pressure on government, to exclude all extraneous materials from the report and speedily develop a white paper, draft the constitution bill, and take it to parliament for it ultimate approval, which would lead the nation to a national referendum on the bill.