Section 21: Office of President.

(1) There shall be a Supreme Head of State, and Commander of the Armed Forces and Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic who shall be known as the President of Sierra Leone, and who is referred to in this Constitution as the President. He shall embody the national unity and ensure the continuance of the Republic. As guardian of the Constitution he shall be the guarantor of national independence, of the integrity of the territory, of respect for Treaties and International Agreements; he shall be the Fountain of Justice, and the Fountain of Honour. (2) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Constitution or any law to the contrary., the President shall, without prejudice to such enactment as may for the time being be adopted by Parliament, be responsible, in addition to functions conferred upon him in the Constitution, for all constitutional matters concerning Legislation, Foreign States, the Reception of Envoys accredited to Sierra Leone, the Execution of Treaties, Agreements or Conventions in the name of Sierra Leone, the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy, the grant of Honours and Awards, the declaration of War, and such other matters as may be referred to the President by Parliament; provided that any Treaty, Agreement, or Convention executed by or under the authority of the President which relates to any matter within the legislative competence of Parliament, or which in any way alters the law of Sierra Leone or imposes any charge on, or authorizes any expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund or any other fund of Sierra Leone, and any declaration of war made by the President shall be subject to ratification by Parliament— i. by an enactment of an Act of Parliament; or ii. by a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of not less than one-half of the Members of Parliament; (3) The President shall be elected to office in accordance with Section 23 of this Constitution. (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, the person who holds the office of President of Sierra Leone immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, namely Dr. Siaka Probyn Stevens, shall continue, to be the Executive President of Sierra Leone and he shall automatically assume office as the Executive President of the Republic on the day of the commencement of this Constitution as if he had been elected in pursuance of the provision of this Constitution and shall, unless he sooner dies or resigns, or unless he virtue of Section 28 or Section 30 or Section 31 of this Constitution, continue in office for a period of seven years, and until the person elected President in the next following Presidential election assumes office. Qualifications for