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The Sierra Leone Parliament began full debate on President Julius Maada Bio’s address on Monday, October 13, 2025, with Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, calling on Members of Parliament (MPs) to set aside party affiliations.
Opening the proceedings, Hon. Silikie urged MPs to debate the address “in good faith,” emphasize holding the government accountable, and offer practical solutions to national challenges. “In this chamber, we don’t speak as SLPP or APC, but we speak as Members of Parliament representing the people of Sierra Leone,” he stated.
Hon. Silikie positioned education as the foundation of the nation’s development and claimed the current administration had achieved more than any predecessor across the sectors of health, electricity, the economy, and employment.
Security was a key focus, with Hon. Alex Rogers (Pujehun District) stressing the paramount importance of national security. He commended the military’s role in protecting territorial integrity, noting the armed forces are now producing their own uniforms, and indicated that a diplomatic resolution to the Yenga border dispute was close.
Supporters of the President highlighted economic and infrastructure gains. Hon. Fallah Tengbeh (Kailahun District) described the address as among the best in Sierra Leone’s history, citing broader access to education, a claimed increase in electricity generation to an estimated 270 megawatts, and single-digit inflation as proof of economic growth. Hon. Musa Fofana (Kono District) also lauded the government’s investments in the water sector.
Opposition and critical voices, however, raised frustrations over unfulfilled promises, particularly regarding infrastructure.
Hon. Mohamed Alpha Jalloh and Hon. Mohamed Alpha Jabbie (Falaba District) pointed out that promised road and water projects dating back to 2018 remain incomplete. Similarly, Hon. Daniel Fornah (Tonkolili district) pressed the government to honour commitments to build new classrooms and improve health facilities to reduce maternal risk for pregnant women.
Several MPs raised serious concerns over the escalating issue of drug abuse among youth. Hon. Aruna P. Lakkoh (Tonkolili district) warned that youth drug involvement is growing beyond parental control and claimed that some government-built car-wash facilities are now being used as drug gathering spots.
Hon. Mahmoud Kamara (Western Urban) argued that the declared State of Emergency has had little effect on rising addiction, calling for law enforcement to specifically target traffickers and recommending an expansion of the Feed Salone initiative and health access.
On the issue of electoral reform, Hon. Musa Lahai (Kailahun District) argued in favor of proportional representation, while Hon. Mariama Bangura (Western Urban) warned that such a system risks devolving into a de facto one-party system.
The parliamentary session concluded with the Motion of Thanks in response to the President’s address being formally proposed by the Acting Leader of Government Business and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo.
