The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) in a letter dated 20 August 2026, has barred a planned peaceful protest by Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) over what it describes as an alleged breach of constitutional procedures, escalating a dispute that continues to place citizen’s right to peaceful assembly against the authorities’ power to regulate public demonstrations. The SLP disallowed the protest and procession planned for 26 August 2026 in parts of Freetown after CAN notified the police of its intention to mobilise citizens in accordance with Section 17(1) of the Public Order Act, 1965, which requires organisers of public processions to notify the police in writing. CAN’s planned demonstration was for citizens to publicly raise concerns over what it considers a breach of constitutional procedures by Parliament in the process surrounding proposed amendments to the 1991 Constitution. The group planned to petition President Julius Maada Bio.
The police in their response said CAN’s proposed procession could not proceed, noting that CAN declined an invitation for an ethical interview scheduled for 19 August 2026 to discuss the protest details. The decision to disallow the protest follows their refusal to engage with police authorities, and warned participants of the legal consequences of taking part in a procession that had been prohibited. However, sources in CAN indicate that they refused to attend the interview for fear of being arrested and intimidated if they accept the invitation, as has been the case of previous activists who has expressed desire to process against issues of national interest. The development continues to test Sierra Leone’s constitutional guarantees of peaceful assembly and the powers granted to the police under the country’s Public Order Act.