Section 5: Government and the people.

(1) The Republic of Sierra Leone shall be a State based on the principles of Freedom, Democracy and Justice.(2) It is accordingly declared that— a. sovereignty belongs to the people of Sierra Leone from whom Government through this Constitution derives all its powers, authority and legitimacy; b. the security, peace and welfare of the people of Sierra Leone shall be the primary purpose and responsibility of Government, and to this end it shall be the duty of the Armed Forces, the Police, Public Officers and all security agents to protect and safeguard the people of Sierra Leone; and c. the participation of the people in the governance of the State shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.