FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Sierra Leone’s police have formally disallowed a planned protest by the Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) scheduled for August 26 in parts of Freetown.

The organisation had notified police of its intention to hold what it described as a peaceful demonstration focused on constitutionalism, the rule of law and concerns over the process of amending Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution.

Police communicated the decision in a letter dated August 20, 2026, effectively preventing the planned procession from going ahead as announced.

The development comes amid heightened national attention surrounding constitutional changes and the role of citizens and civil society organisations in the reform process.

The police decision has placed renewed focus on the balance between peaceful assembly and public-order regulation in Sierra Leone, with civil society groups continuing to scrutinise the constitutional process.

The dispute is expected to attract further public and political attention as the country debates the proposed constitutional changes.