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The Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, held what he described as a constructive meeting with opposition leaders in Parliament, aimed at encouraging their return to parliamentary sittings.
The meeting brought together key figures of the opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition, Abdul Kargbo, amid an ongoing boycott of parliamentary proceedings.
Speaking during the engagement, Hon. Kargbo explained that the opposition’s decision to withdraw from parliamentary activities was based on concerns surrounding the appointment of Mr. Edmond Alpha as the new Chief Electoral Commissioner.
He maintained that the appointee should not be involved in the conduct or supervision of the 2028 elections in Sierra Leone.
In response, Speaker Thomas appealed to the opposition delegation to set aside political differences and resume their legislative duties.
He stressed that decisions taken by the executive arm of government should not justify a boycott of Parliament, noting that Parliament operates as an independent branch of government.
He further encouraged the opposition to explore alternative means of expressing their concerns rather than disengaging from parliamentary work, reminding them of their mandate to serve the people.
The Speaker also highlighted that several constitutional amendment processes are currently pending before Parliament and described the moment as historic, urging the opposition to actively participate in shaping these national decisions.
He thanked the opposition leaders for honoring his invitation and assured them that he would communicate the outcome of the meeting to President Julius Maada Bio, with the aim of promoting a comprehensive resolution to the ongoing political impasse.
The meeting is being viewed as a significant step toward strengthening parliamentary democracy and fostering bipartisan cooperation. Observers say the Speaker’s engagement reflects an effort to ensure effective governance and inclusive representation in Parliament.
The outcome of the discussions is expected to influence the opposition’s decision on whether to return to parliamentary proceedings, potentially easing tensions and restoring full legislative operations.
