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The Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, on Saturday, the 18th of July 2026, led the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Delegation to join other Heads of State and Government to grace the 2026 ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit hosted by President Julius Maada Bio at the newly commissioned Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
The high-level regional meeting marked a historic moment for Sierra Leone as it brought together West African leaders to deliberate on regional integration, peace, security, and economic development, while also serving as the official platform for the commissioning of two major national assets: the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi.
The Summit was attended by several Heads of State, including the President of Senegal, the President of The Gambia, and other regional leaders, as well as Presidents of ECOWAS institutiions, senior government officials, diplomats, and development partners.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Speaker Thomas described the hosting of the Summit as a proud moment for Sierra Leone and a testament to the country’s growing leadership role within the ECOWAS region.
“This Summit demonstrates that Sierra Leone is ready to play its part in advancing the ECOWAS vision of a borderless, peaceful, and prosperous West Africa,” the Speaker said. “Parliament stands ready to provide the necessary legislative support to domesticate regional protocols and ensure that the decisions taken here translate into real benefits for our people.”
In his keynote address, President Julius Maada Bio welcomed his colleagues and expressed gratitude for their presence. He noted that the new conference centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi were critical investments in regional peacekeeping and humanitarian response capacity.
“Today, we are not just opening buildings. We are opening doors to greater cooperation, to faster response in times of crisis, and to deeper integration among our peoples,” President Bio stated.
The President of Senegal and the President of The Gambia, in their remarks, commended Sierra Leone for its hospitality and for the successful organisation of the Summit. They stressed the need for unity and collective action to address the security and economic challenges facing the sub-region.
Speaker Thomas, in his engagement with fellow parliamentarians and regional leaders, reiterated Parliament’s commitment to supporting regional integration through legislation and oversight. He noted that Parliament would work closely with the Executive to ensure Sierra Leone meets its obligations under ECOWAS treaties and protocols.
The Summit concluded with the adoption of a communiqué outlining key decisions and the way forward for the Community in the second half of 2026.
