Members of the opposition All People's Congress (APC) staged a walkout in Parliament in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Tuesday. The protest occurred following a ruling by Speaker of Parliament Solomon Thomas regarding the voting procedure for an ongoing constitutional amendment process. The walkout by APC members notes their dissent over the parliamentary proceedings for the significant legal changes, asserting that the proposed method for approving constitutional amendments is unconstitutional.
Parliamentary Standoff Over Voting Rules
Speaker of Parliament Solomon Thomas ruled that the constitutional amendment process should proceed under a simple majority vote, asserting that Section 108 of the constitution does not apply to the current proceedings. This declaration by the Speaker set the stage for the contentious parliamentary session. APC lawmakers subsequently walked out of Parliament, opposing the constitutional amendment process, which they maintain requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The opposition All People's Congress (APC) maintains that proceeding under a simple majority is not acceptable for such a significant constitutional matter, emphasizing the profound implications of altering the nation's foundational legal document.
During the session, lawmakers voted 96–41 on a proposal concerning the appointment of Electoral Commissioners. Abdul Kargbo, an APC Member of Parliament, stated that these 96 votes are not enough to meet the constitutional threshold required for such an amendment. The opposition contends that constitutional changes necessitate a higher voting threshold than a simple majority, specifically a two-thirds majority of all Members of Parliament present. This fundamental disagreement over the interpretation of constitutional requirements led directly to the APC's dramatic exit from the parliamentary chamber.
The Constitutional Debate
The All People's Congress (APC) objected to the Speaker's ruling, insisting that the constitutional amendment process requires a two-thirds majority of all Members of Parliament present. The opposition party maintains that proceeding under a simple majority is unacceptable for such a significant constitutional matter. They argue that Section 108 of the constitution is unequivocal, explicitly requiring a two-thirds vote for any constitutional amendment to be passed. This constitutional provision, according to the APC, mandates a higher threshold than the simple majority proposed by Speaker Solomon Thomas for the current legislative actions. The APC's stance notes a fundamental disagreement over the interpretation of constitutional requirements for altering the nation's foundational laws, showing their belief that the Speaker's ruling bypasses established legal procedures. The party’s firm position is that without adherence to the two-thirds majority rule, any purported amendment would lack constitutional legitimacy.
Reactions to the Walkout
Abdul Kargbo, the Leader of the All People's Congress (APC) in Parliament, declared that APC Members of Parliament would not participate in the amendment process unless the requirement for a two-thirds majority vote was observed. He emphasized that APC MPs cannot take part in the amendment process if the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority vote requirement is not followed. Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo led 49 APC MPs out of Parliament following the Speaker's ruling, marking a significant moment of protest. The walkout shows the opposition's firm stance against proceeding with constitutional amendments under a simple majority vote, signaling a deep division within the legislative body regarding the proper procedure for enacting profound legal changes. The APC's unified action serves as a strong statement of their commitment to upholding what they interpret as the clear constitutional mandate for such critical legislative undertakings.