Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The longstanding identity struggle between Tribal Heads in the Western Area and the formal legal system resurfaced prominently on Thursday when the Council of Tribal Heads appealed to Chief Justice Komba Kamanda to intervene in what they described as a constitutional and institutional identity crisis.
During a historic courtesy visit to the Chief Justice their first in the country’s history the Tribal Heads argued that their current constitutional designation as “Tribal Headmen” undermines their traditional authority and creates challenges in their interaction with legal practitioners, community members, and local governance structures.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Council Chairman S.O. Gbeki, who also serves as the Kono Tribal Head, said the use of the term Headman is “not only outdated but disrespectful,” especially given the vast and diverse communities they now govern.
He noted that unlike provincial traditional leaders who are constitutionally recognized as Chiefs or Paramount Chiefs, their roles in the Western Area are minimized by terminology inherited from the colonial distinction between the “Colony” and the “Protectorate.”
“This is not about titles it is about the recognition necessary for us to perform our duties effectively,” Gbeki said. “The communities depend on us to resolve disputes and maintain order, but the constitutional language limits how some legal practitioners and institutions perceive our authority.”
Secretary-General Mathew Jibao Young, the Mende Tribal Head, echoed the Chairman’s concerns, pointing to repeated instances where legal practitioners dismissed or questioned their authority based on constitutional definitions under Cap 78.
“Some lawyers tell us they cannot recognise us as Chiefs because the constitution calls us Headmen,” Young said. “But the Western Area has grown beyond that old definition. We administer communities larger than many chiefdoms.”
He highlighted that the region’s rapid urbanisation and expanding population mean Tribal Heads frequently address conflicts, land issues, and community disputes that would otherwise overwhelm the formal courts.
However, he warned that the inconsistent recognition of their authority creates confusion, weakens community governance, and leaves residents uncertain about traditional leadership channels.
The Council argued that elevating their titles to Chiefs or Paramount Chiefs would not only reflect their actual responsibilities but also harmonise traditional leadership systems nationwide.
They stressed that the identity they hold within communities already mirrors that of Chiefs, and the constitutional terminology is the only barrier preventing full legal recognition.
Young further suggested that the Western Area should be reclassified as a Region during future constitutional reforms an administrative upgrade that would automatically align tribal authority with the rest of the country.
Chief Justice Kamanda thanked the Council for their visit and acknowledged the legitimacy of their concerns, noting that many of the issues are rooted in historical constitutional distinctions.
He assured them that the matter would be raised with the Sierra Leone Bar Association and discussed with the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, especially as part of ongoing constitutional review processes.
The Chief Justice also commended their critical role in community peacebuilding and local dispute resolution, describing them as “essential partners in the justice delivery chain.”
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