Speaker Engages Opposition Leadership to Break Parliamentary Deadlock
The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, held a high-level engagement with the opposition leadership in Parliament in a bid to resolve the ongoing impasse affecting parliamentary sittings.
The meeting focused on encouraging opposition Members of Parliament to resume active participation in legislative proceedings after their recent boycott.
During the discussions, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, explained that their withdrawal from parliamentary activities stems from concerns over the appointment of Mr. Edmond Alpha as the new Chief Electoral Commissioner. He emphasized that the opposition believes the appointee should not play any role in the conduct or supervision of the 2028 general elections.
In response, Speaker Thomas urged the opposition to set aside political differences in the national interest and return to Parliament. He stressed that decisions taken by the executive arm of government should not warrant a legislative boycott, noting that Parliament remains an independent arm tasked with representing the people.
He further encouraged the opposition to channel their grievances through parliamentary mechanisms rather than disengagement, reminding them of their constitutional responsibility to serve the citizens of Sierra Leone.
The Speaker also drew attention to several critical constitutional amendments currently pending before Parliament, describing the moment as historic and requiring the full participation of all elected representatives.
Expressing appreciation for the opposition’s willingness to engage, Speaker Thomas assured the delegation that he would brief H.E. Julius Maada Bio on the outcome of the meeting, with a view to promoting a comprehensive resolution to the current political stalemate.
The engagement marks a significant step toward restoring normalcy in parliamentary operations and strengthening democratic governance through dialogue and bipartisan cooperation.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to influence the opposition’s return to parliamentary proceedings, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative approach to addressing national issues.
