By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone – April 10, 2026: The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, reconvened a second meeting with Members of the Opposition on Friday to address their ongoing boycott of parliamentary proceedings. The Speaker appealed to opposition MPs to resume their constitutional duties, stressing that their participation is vital for the passage of critical bills and the strengthening of democratic governance.
Speaker Thomas explained that the meeting was a follow-up to earlier engagements and reiterated his commitment to relay feedback from President Julius Maada Bio. While noting that the President had been occupied with other engagements, he assured the Opposition that he would continue efforts to facilitate dialogue. “Members of Parliament should not abandon their duties because of actions by the Executive,” he emphasized, urging MPs to use the Well of Parliament as the proper platform to express grievances.
The Speaker thanked the Opposition for honoring his invitation and reaffirmed his role as a mediator. He pledged to engage the President further to explore the possibility of a direct meeting with the Opposition aimed at resolving the impasse. “Dialogue is essential in a democratic space. Please find a way to come back to Parliament,” he appealed.
In response, the Leader of the Opposition commended Speaker Thomas for his leadership and efforts to bridge the divide. He expressed respect for the Speaker and lamented that no other authority had engaged the Opposition since their last meeting. He underscored the importance of dialogue, urging the Executive to set aside ego and pursue meaningful engagement.
The Opposition Leader also raised concerns about electoral credibility, particularly regarding the appointment of Edmond Alpha to oversee the 2028 elections. While acknowledging the constitutionality of the appointment, he argued that decisions of such magnitude should be made in good faith to preserve peace and national cohesion. He suggested that the President consider recusing Alpha from the electoral process to restore public confidence.
The meeting concluded with both sides recognizing the importance of continued dialogue to safeguard Sierra Leone’s democratic process.
Issued by: Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone Contact: +23278495023 / +24276625960 / +23278426851 / +23278697776 / +23277473804 / +23275710747