The Sierra Leone Government has ordered a nationwide suspension of secret society activities until 31 December 2026, citing the need to protect census officials and ensure the smooth conduct of the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
In a public notice dated 12 November, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs directed Paramount Chiefs, chiefdom authorities and secret society leaders to suspend initiation ceremonies, traditional gatherings, processions and other related activities with immediate effect.
The government said the measure was necessary to protect enumerators, supervisors and other census officials, prevent disruptions to the counting exercise and ensure that all eligible residents were available for enumeration.
The directive also prohibits new initiation ceremonies during the period and warns that no secret society activity should obstruct, intimidate, threaten or prevent census personnel from carrying out their duties.
Traditional authorities, including Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, Town Chiefs and Village Heads, have been instructed to work with security agencies and census officials to ensure compliance.
The decision comes against the backdrop of constitutional protections for freedom of association and assembly. Section 26 of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution guarantees these freedoms but allows restrictions under the authority of law where they are reasonably required in the interests of public safety, public order, public morality, public health or the protection of other people’s rights.
This raises questions about the legal basis and proportionality of the government’s decision, particularly given that the directive applies nationwide and covers a broad range of traditional activities.
The government has not specified in the public notice the particular law or statutory provision under which the suspension has been imposed.
The restriction also comes amid longstanding debates about the regulation of secret societies and the balance between traditional practices, public safety and individual rights in Sierra Leone.
In its notice, the ministry acknowledged the cultural, traditional and historical significance of secret societies in the country but maintained that the national importance of the census required cooperation from traditional institutions and communities.
It also directed traditional authorities to report any disagreements or security concerns arising from the implementation of the directive to the appropriate local authorities for peaceful resolution.
The government has urged traditional leaders and community members to demonstrate restraint and cooperate with the census, saying the participation of all eligible residents is essential to collecting accurate population and housing data.
