By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma has voiced strong opposition to a plan by security and regulatory agencies to enforce mandatory possession of national ID cards through roadside checkpoints, calling the move unconstitutional and potentially abusive.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on Thursday, Hon. Koroma criticized the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), and officials from the Office of National Security (ONS) following a recent televised announcement. According to the announcement, beginning August 31, 2025, security agencies will establish checkpoints across Sierra Leone to verify that citizens are carrying valid national identity cards.
“This is not right, and it is not in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone,” Hon. Koroma stated.
He argued that the proposed enforcement violates the right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under Section 15 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
“The only circumstance under which that right can legally be restricted is through the declaration of a State of Emergency, as stipulated in Section 29 of the Constitution,” he emphasized. “No such declaration has been made.”
Hon. Koroma also referenced the MACRA Act, accusing the NCRA of failing to meet its legal obligations under Section 15, which mandates the establishment of accessible and continuously functioning registration centers.
“As we speak, nearly 80% to 90% of chiefdoms lack operational NCRA offices,” he said, pointing to systemic shortcomings in the ID registration process.
He further highlighted the economic difficulties many citizens face, calling it unreasonable and unjust to mandate ID cards when infrastructure is lacking and no financial support is provided for vulnerable populations.
“People are struggling to survive. It is unfair to expect them to comply with ID requirements under such harsh conditions,” he stated.
In his appeal to fellow lawmakers, Hon. Koroma urged Parliament to hold the responsible officials accountable and formally request a suspension of the planned checkpoints. He emphasized the need for dialogue with the relevant authorities to ensure any enforcement actions are lawful and in line with the Constitution.
He concluded by stressing that any policy that infringes on constitutional rights must follow due process, and that citizens should not be subjected to undue harassment or restrictions under the pretext of national security or administrative enforcement.