Freetown, 13th April, 2026– The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has once again appealed to opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) from the All People’s Congress (APC) to end their boycott and return to the Well of Parliament, stressing that their absence undermines the legislative process and weakens democratic governance.
For the second time in recent weeks, Speaker Thomas reconvened a meeting with opposition MPs to address the impasse. He explained that while he had promised to relay feedback from President Julius Maada Bio after their last engagement, the President had been tied up with other commitments. Nonetheless, he said his mission was to continue pleading with the APC MPs to resume their constitutional duties.
The Speaker emphasized that Parliament cannot function effectively without the opposition, particularly with critical bills awaiting enactment. “Law-making is the heart of Parliament, and the opposition is vital in that process,” he said, urging MPs to use the chamber to express grievances rather than staying away. He assured them that he would continue engaging the President to seek a permanent resolution, but insisted that governance must not stall in the meantime.
Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo commended the Speaker’s efforts, describing him as one of Sierra Leone’s admirable leaders. He noted that since their last meeting, no other authority had attempted to bridge the divide between the Executive and the Opposition. Kargbo stressed that the opposition plays a crucial role in 21st-century democratic governance and urged the Speaker to press the President for meaningful dialogue.
He further argued that the relationship between the President and the Opposition should be closer than that with the governing party. Kargbo raised concerns about electoral credibility, warning that even if Chief Electoral Commissioner Edmond Alpha conducts the 2028 elections freely and fairly, doubts would persist due to past controversies. While acknowledging that Alpha’s appointment was constitutional, he suggested that the President should consider recusing him from overseeing the polls in the interest of peace and national cohesion.
The Speaker concluded the meeting with a heartfelt plea: “Please find a way to come back to Parliament.” He reassured the Opposition that dialogue remains the best path forward and promised to continue engaging the President to resolve the matter permanently.
