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An Analysis On The Constitutional Development Of Sierra Leone

Posted on:2012-07-22Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:L F WangFull Text:PDF
GTID:2216330338971881Subject:International relations
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The constitutional development of Sierra Leone typically reflected the situation of African constitutional development. Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, was once one of the Britain colonial settlements in Africa. To keep its regime, Britain carried out constitutional reforms in Sierra Leone in the 1920s. However, it proved unsuccessful. In 1961, Sierra Leone gained its independence. Its constitutional development went through nearly a half-century exploration of a proper constitution, which underwent imitation, revolution and transformation, and finally Sierra Leone established its constitutional system on the principle of multiparty system and separation of the executive, legislative and judicial powers. In the early stage of independence, remaining member of the British Common Wealth of Nations, Sierra Leone inherited the constitutional principle of Westminster, such as the appliance of the Principle of separation powers, the leading role of the administrative power. Also, Sierra Leone applied representative system and party system. Meanwhile it created a constitutional system with new features, which made it different from the traditional Westminster mode. In 1971, Sierra Leone transformed into a Republic country. In this period, Sierra Leone's constitution was changed to one- party system, the power of president was unprecedented, while the separation of powers was suffered heavy losses. Then after the resign of Stevens, Sierra Leone made its way back to the multi-party system. When it came to the 1990s, there were political turmoils in Sierra Leon. Interfered by the international community, the constitutional system of Sierra Leone kept basic stability, which followed the 1991 Constitution even after war. In 2002, Sierra Leone achieved domestic peace, and its Constitution gradually became mature. During this period, the main feature of its constitutional features are the restriction of the presidential power and the rebuilding of multi-party policy.In general, the development of Sierra Leone is featured with emphasis on national sovereignty, multi-party system, separation of the executive, election system and the legislative and judicial powers over the constitution. In the new age, whether the current constitution of Sierra Leone can guarantee it a continuous, steady and peaceful situation is still uncertain.
Keywords/Search Tags:Sierra Leone, constitutional development, system
PDF Full Text Request
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