Constitution of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone's constitution entered into force on 1 October 1991, after a popular referendum and approval by President Joseph Momoh, replacing the 1978 constitution and restoring multi party democracy after years of one party rule. It establishes a constitutional republic with a directly elected president who serves as head of state, head of government and commander in chief for up to two five year terms, alongside a unicameral legislature and an independent judiciary with powers of judicial review, across fourteen chapters that include specific protections for fundamental human rights. The constitution was suspended during military coups in 1992 and 1997 but has remained in force since civilian rule was restored in 1998, and it was last amended in 2016.