Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Presides Over Swearing-In of Chief Justice, Reaffirms Judiciary as Pillar of Democracy
The President, His Excellency Dr. Julius Mada Bio, administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Chief Justice, Mr. Kumba Kamanda, at the State House. During the event, President Bio highlighted the critical role of the judiciary as one of the strongest pillars of democracy in Sierra Leone.
The ceremony began with the purpose read out by Presidential Secretary Dr. Emmanuel Gaima. He cited Section 135(1) of the 1991 Sierra Leone Constitution, which provides for the President to appoint the Chief Justice from among individuals on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and with the approval of Parliament. Qualified to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.
In his speech, the newly sworn-in Chief Justice Kumba Kamanda expressed his deep gratitude to President Bio for entrusting him with the important task of leading the judiciary. He emphasized his commitment to service with dedication, integrity and respect for the rule of law.
“I recognize the importance of this position and assure you that I will uphold the principles of justice, fairness and equality that form the cornerstone of our legal system. The judiciary is the backbone of our democracy and I am committed to ensuring its independence and impartiality, acting as guardians of the rights and freedoms of all Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans.”
Chief Justice Kamanda acknowledged the challenges ahead and noted that the country’s journey towards justice and equality continues. He pledged to work with other judges and stakeholders to increase access to justice, improve court efficiency and ensure transparency and accountability in legal processes.
He further emphasized the critical role of the legal profession, law enforcement and civil society in the pursuit of justice. “I assure the citizens of Sierra Leone that their rights and freedoms will be my top priority. I will work to ensure that the judiciary remains a pillar of hope and that justice is not the prerogative of a few but the right of all.”
In his response, President Bio congratulated the new Chief Justice on his appointment, reiterating that the judiciary plays an integral role in safeguarding the country’s democracy.
“You are right to describe this role as a significant challenge. I encourage the legal community to work together to address these challenges. The judiciary is critical to everything we do,” the President said.
He assured Chief Justice Kamanda of the government’s unwavering support in safeguarding the independence of the judiciary and providing necessary resources to strengthen the administration of justice.
“The independence of the judiciary is of paramount importance and everything you ask for will be met to ensure that justice continues to be served in Sierra Leone,” President Bio concluded.
The ceremony marked an important milestone in China’s ongoing efforts to uphold justice, fairness and the rule of law, reaffirming the central role of the judiciary in upholding democracy and protecting the rights of all citizens.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
