By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice and Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, Komba Kamanda, has further strengthened the country’s international judicial standing after a high-profile appearance at the Ninth Cairo High-Level Meeting of the Presidents of African Constitutional Courts, Supreme Courts and Constitutional Councils.
The meeting, held on February 8, 2026, at the St. Regis Hotel, brought together heads of apex courts from across Africa for the ongoing International Conference on Constitutional Justice. The conference is convened under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi and serves as a key continental platform for dialogue on constitutional governance and judicial cooperation.
At the conference, Chief Justice Komba Kamanda emerged as the only Chief Justice selected to speak on behalf of his counterparts from the ECOWAS sub-region, representing fifteen member states, including Ghana and Nigeria. His selection was widely seen as a recognition of Sierra Leone’s growing influence within Africa’s judicial community and the reform momentum within its justice sector.
In a widely applauded address on the theme: “Challenges Facing Constitutional Justice in Africa,” Chief Justice Komba Kamanda underscored the central role of supreme and constitutional courts as guardians of the rule of law and protectors of fundamental human rights. He emphasized that constitutional courts must remain firm in upholding the supremacy of the constitution, stressing that no individual or institution stands above it.
“The Supreme Constitutional Courts must continue to maintain the inescapable fact that no man or institution is greater than the constitution,” he said, adding that constitutional fidelity must guide judicial reasoning and decision-making at all times.
He further highlighted judicial independence as a cornerstone of democracy and good governance, noting that an independent judiciary is indispensable for sustaining public confidence, protecting rights and ensuring accountability within the state. According to him, constitutions should be treated as living instruments, continually interpreted in ways that preserve their relevance and vitality in changing social and political contexts.
Chief Justice Komba Kamanda’s international recognition comes against the backdrop of significant judicial reforms undertaken in Sierra Leone within a year of his tenure. Those reforms have contributed to the country’s improved performance in global rule-of-law assessments, including the World Justice Rule of Law Index, where Sierra Leone has been cited for progress in judicial independence, transparency and effectiveness.
While in Egypt, the Chief Justice was also honoured with one of the country’s prestigious legal awards in recognition of his commitment to promoting the rule of law and advancing the administration of justice. The Bar Association Award was received on his behalf by Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi. Chief Justice Komba Kamanda was accompanied on the trip by Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Justice Alusine Sesay.
Speaking at the opening session, the President of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, Counselor Boulis Fahmy, commended African constitutional courts for their pivotal role in promoting social peace, democratic governance and stability across the continent. He also praised President El-Sisi’s continued patronage of the Cairo conference, describing it as a source of momentum and institutional weight.
The Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, Honourable Justice Hisham Badawy, described the Cairo conference as a fundamental pillar of justice in Africa and a constructive forum for sharing judicial expertise. Egypt’s Minister of Justice, Honourable Adnan Fangari, noted that the meeting holds special priority for strengthening African judicial partnerships at a time of growing global challenges.
The opening ceremony was attended by several leading figures in constitutional justice, including the Presidents of the Constitutional Courts of Cape Verde, Spain, Türkiye and Palestine, alongside other senior judicial leaders from across the world.
Chief Justice Komba Kamanda’s participation and recognition in Cairo further reinforce Sierra Leone’s re-emergence as a respected voice in continental and global judicial discourse.
