By Claudia Redwood-SawyerThe Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq, has proposed new electoral and justice sector reforms that, if passed, will benefit Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora. The AG was speaking at the Civic Day Series in the United States on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025.
AG Sesay explained that the new changes will allow citizens to register and potentially vote at Sierra Leone embassies around the world.
“Many of you have to travel back home to register, then return for verification and voting. Under the new reforms we are implementing, you can now register in our embassy and even vote for the people you want to represent you back home,” the Attorney General stated.
Despite the announcement and the excitement in the room, the AG urged everyone to get the support of their lawmakers to pass the law when it comes to Parliament. “These changes will be laid in Parliament, so you have to get your MPs to support,” Cabinet Secretary Sesay explained.
Attorney General Sesay stated that further reforms to the Criminal Procedures Act will benefit people living in the diaspora. The new CPA establishes new timelines for judges to make decisions on cases. He stated that this will benefit Sierra Leoneans who are facing legal issues back home.
The new CPA includes a provision for the use of technology, allowing lawyers to submit motions online alongside witness testimony. The Attorney General commented: “These reforms deepen the President’s commitment to ensure expansion of democratic participation to our brothers and sisters in the diaspora.”
The “Mediation Bill” is among the most transformative reforms. The AG stated that he is close to presenting this law to parliament, which will result in some court cases being settled by trained, appointed mediators. He stated that there is a demand for this because data collected shows that 70% of people prefer to resolve legal issues outside of the court system.
“Justice is a service that the Government provides for the people of Sierra Leone,” he declared.
