Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1978
The one-party republican Constitution of Sierra Leone of 1978, which made the All People's Congress the sole legal party.
Summary
The Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1978 established a one-party state in Sierra Leone, making the All People's Congress (APC) the only lawful political party. It replaced the 1971 republican Constitution and concentrated power in the executive presidency.
The 1978 Constitution set out the structure of the State — the presidency, Parliament, the Cabinet and the Judiciary — within a single-party framework, and contained provisions on citizenship, fundamental rights (subject to significant limitations) and the organs of government.
It remained in force until it was replaced by the multi-party Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, and is of significant historical importance in understanding the country's constitutional evolution.
Main provisions
- Establishes a one-party republican State with the APC as the sole legal party.
- Provides for an executive presidency as head of state and government.
- Provides for Parliament, the Cabinet and the Judiciary within the one-party system.
- Contains provisions on citizenship and fundamental rights, subject to limitations.
- Replaced by the 1991 Constitution.