Sierra Leone Second Enabling Environment Snapshot

The enabling environment for civil society in Sierra Leone is restricted, marked by growing legal, political, and operational constraints. Restrictive laws—most notably Part Three of the 1965 Public Order Act and the Cybercrime Act of 2021—have been used to suppress dissent and shrink civic space. These laws have enabled the targeting of activists and journalists, undermining freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. 

Recent incidents underscore this trend. Activists Hawa Hunt, Thomas Babadie, and Wadi Williams were arrested for expressing dissent or attempting to protest. Dutch journalist Sophie Van Leeuwen was detained and forced to flee after investigating alleged links between a drug lord and the First Family. Other journalists, including Thomas Dixon and Melvin Tejan Mansaray, faced intimidation or exclusion for criticizing state institutions. 

Civil society operations are further hindered by the rigid implementation of the NGO Policy Framework, which imposes excessive bureaucratic controls on registration and renewal processes. This undermines the autonomy of CSOs and restricts their ability to operate independently. Compounding these challenges is a decline in accessible funding, particularly following reductions in USAID support. 

Government engagement with civil society remains selective, often limited to development focused initiatives like women’s empowerment. Advocacy-oriented CSOs face greater resistance, especially when calling for transparency or accountability. 

The digital space is also insecure. The Cybercrime Act is frequently used to shield officials from scrutiny rather than protect citizens. The 2024 social media blackout exemplifies the state’s willingness to restrict digital freedoms. These dynamics collectively erode the enabling environment for civil society in Sierra Leone.