Alpha Sesay, the country’s newly appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice, officially took the oath of office on Monday, December 16, 2024. The ceremony at State House was presided over by President Julius Maada Bio.
In a statement, Secretary to the President Emmanuel Gaima highlighted the constitutional basis for the appointment, referencing Section 64 of the 1991 Constitution, which outlines the Attorney General’s role. He emphasized the importance of this induction ceremony in aligning with the nation’s laws.
During his address, Attorney General Sesay expressed gratitude to President Bio for entrusting him with the critical role. Drawing on his extensive career in law and human rights advocacy, he pledged to deliver accessible and effective justice to all Sierra Leoneans. “I am committed to advancing a people-centered justice system and upholding the principles of fairness and accountability,” Sesay remarked.
President Bio congratulated Sesay and commended the outgoing Attorney General for their service. He stressed the importance of timely justice delivery, describing it as essential to national stability and development. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” the President noted, while urging Sesay to collaborate with Sierra Leone’s legal experts to navigate the challenges of the role.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s respect for judicial independence. “There will be no orders from above interfering with the justice system under my leadership,” Bio stated, promising full support for strengthening the justice sector.
A Career Dedicated to Justice
Alpha Sesay brings decades of legal expertise to the role. He previously served as Deputy Minister of Justice since July 2023 and as Senior Democracy, Rights, and Governance Advisor at USAID in Sierra Leone. Internationally, he worked with the Open Society Foundations in Washington, D.C., focusing on human rights advocacy, and collaborated with institutions like the International Criminal Court and the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
An accomplished scholar and advocate, Sesay has lectured at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Law School and the University of Amsterdam. He holds an LL.M. in International Human Rights from the University of Notre Dame and has over 20 years of experience as a member of the Sierra Leone Bar.
In his new role, Sesay aims to advance Sierra Leone’s legal frameworks, focusing on human rights, accountability, and the rule of law.
