Parliament calls for measures to help families of fallen servicemen

The Sierra Leone House of Parliament has passed a resolution, commending the decision by the government to drop criminal charges against former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, and calling for several further measures aimed at national reconciliation and support for the families of security personnel and public officers who were killed or injured on November 26, 2023.
The resolution, presented by the Clerk of Parliament and approved on July 16, 2026, remembers Sierra Leone’s hard-won recovery from civil war and reaffirms the country’s long-standing commitment to reconciliation, democratic governance, constitutionalism and the rule of law. The preamble of the House explicitly refers to the guiding principles contained in the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and key peace agreements such as the Abidjan Peace Accord and the Lomé Peace Agreement, which emphasise the importance of dialogue, reconciliation, justice tempered with mercy and national cohesion in maintaining a lasting peace.
The resolution noted that a discontinuance of the charges brought against former President Koroma was issued by the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. The parliament’s motion said it supported the prosecutorial decision, but also underlined the need to respect the dignity of the offices of former presidents, according to national traditions and without prejudice to constitutional supremacy, judicial independence or the principle of equality of all before the law.
The Parliament also acknowledged the tragic human cost of the incidents of November 26, 2023, which resulted in the death of members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Sierra Leone Police and other citizens. The House said the losses are a part of the nation’s history and called for acknowledgement, compassion and adequate state support to bereaved families in recognition of their loved ones’ sacrifice.
The resolution also supported substantive measures, including Parliament agreeing to introduce a Government or Private Members Bill to provide legal protection for the welfare of former Presidents and Vice Presidents. This proposed legislative step would formalise protections and benefits for holders of the country’s highest former offices, adding to the resolution’s view that former presidents deserve dignity and certain forms of respect.
The House also called on the government to put in place a comprehensive compensation, welfare and support programme for the families of all members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Sierra Leone Police and other public officers who were seriously injured or killed during the November 26, 2023 incidents. Parliament framed the call as symbolic of the state’s appreciation of courage, patriotism and sacrifice, and a necessary part of national healing.
The resolution also urges political parties, religious bodies, civil society organisations, traditional authorities and citizens to continue supporting initiatives promoting reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and national unity. Parliament underlined the importance of sustained civic and political engagement to forestall future divisions and to bring the gains made for peace to fruition.
The Parliament also commended the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio as President of the Republic and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in the promotion of peace, stability, dialogue and constitutional order in the West African sub-region.
Copies of the resolution were to be sent to His Excellency the President of the Republic, and to other authorities concerned, through the Clerk of Parliament, for their consideration and appropriate action. The House entered its resolution into the record on July 16, 2026.
The parliamentary move is a significant institutional reaction to recent political and security developments and includes a strong endorsement of dropping charges against a former head of state, as well as specific calls for the passage of legislation and welfare measures to benefit former officeholders and families of victims of the November 2023 incident.