In an emotionally charged acceptance speech during the first sitting of the Sixth Parliament, the newly-elected Speaker, Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu, delivered a passionate plea to all Members of Parliament (MPs) to put aside their differences and fulfill their responsibilities to the people who entrusted them with their votes.

Addressing a packed parliamentary chamber after the oath-taking and election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abass Bundu emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among all political parties.

He stated that it would be an unforgivable act of betrayal if members of the All People’s Congress (APC) failed to attend the proceedings of the new parliament.

“Staying aloof from the proceedings of the Sixth Parliament is a betrayal of the people’s trust and an unforgivable act. The people voted for you, and it is your duty to come and represent them faithfully,” Speaker Bundu asserted with conviction.

He extended an olive branch to the APC Members of Parliament, urging them to join the parliamentary session on the next adjourned date and actively participate in the democratic process. Stressing the significance of addressing their differences internally, he called upon all MPs to find common ground without relying solely on external intervention.

Speaker Bundu expressed his profound gratitude to the government of Sierra Leone for independently funding and successfully conducting the June 24th Elections, which garnered wide acceptance across the nation.

In his poignant address, the Speaker also touched upon the historical context of African independence and the legacy of colonialism. Drawing attention to past struggles where the fate of the African continent was dictated by external powers, he noted that despite gaining independence, the influence of entities like the European Union and the United States of America in determining electoral outcomes still looms large.

While acknowledging the challenges that African nations face in ensuring full sovereignty, Speaker Bundu urged his fellow lawmakers and citizens to work together to overcome these obstacles and assert the nation’s independence on the global stag