KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1961 Population: 5,997,000 (2011) GNI p.c.: US$340 (2011) UN HDI 2011: world ranking 180 Geography Area: 71,740 sq km Coastline: 402 km Capital: Freetown The Republic of Sierra Leone (Portuguese for ‘Lion Mountain’) in West Africa is bordered by Guinea to the north, Liberia to the south-east, and the Atlantic to the south and west. Constitution Status: Republic with executive President Legislature: Parliament of Sierra Leone Independence: 27 April 1961 The independence constitution was abrogated during the series of military coups which followed. The 1971 constitution allowed for a ceremonial President; an amendment later that year created an executive presidency. A new constitution in 1978 established a one-party state, with the All People’s Congress as the recognised party, and there was further constitutional amendment in 1985. The 1991 constitution marked a return to a multiparty system, with many of the parliamentary features of the independence constitution, though the country was to remain a republic with an executive presidency. Implementation of this constitution was interrupted by an army coup. The National Provisional Ruling Council became the governing body, and rule was by decree. These developments were in turn reversed by the implementation of the 1995 constitution, which (with amendments) restored the 1991 constitution, returning the country to a multiparty system with an executive presidency and a unicameral legislature. For the elections of May 2002, the legislature had a total of 124 members, comprising 112 directly elected – eight in each of 14 constituencies – and 12 paramount chiefs. Presidential and parliamentary elections are held at least every five years, under universal adult suffrage and proportional representation. The President forms a government and appoints a cabinet. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court of Sierra Leone Ministry: Justice The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal and has jurisdiction in constitutional matters. It also has responsibility for the administration of the judicial system, which includes the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the magistrates’ courts. The Supreme Court is presided over by the chief justice. Its justices are appointed by the President of the republic and appointments must be approved by at least 60 per cent of MPs in a parliamentary vote. The most serious civil and criminal cases and appeals from the magistrates’ courts come before the High Court. Appeals from the High Court and from certain special courts are heard by the Court of Appeal. Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 261 Sierra Leone
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