The Sierra Leone Lawyers’ Society has expressed concern over an ongoing impasse involving the Freetown City Council (FCC), other local councils, the Minister of Local Government, and the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC).
The Society highlighted issues including the failure of the LGSC to release findings on staff misconduct in Kailahun, controversial staff reassignments without council consultation, and directives from the FCC Chief Administrator that were countermanded by the Acting Mayor.
Citing Section 33 of the Local Government Act of 2022, the Society reminded the Minister and the LGSC that recruitment, promotion, and discipline of council staff should be carried out in consultation with the councils.
The body urged the Minister and the LGSC to respect local council autonomy and called for swift action to resolve the impasse, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of local governance from political interference.
