Speaker Mediates With APC to End Parliamentary Boycott

Speaker Mediates With APC to End Parliamentary Boycott

On Friday, April 10, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, conducted a second high-level meeting with the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) to address the ongoing parliamentary boycott. This engagement is a critical effort to resolve the political stalemate resulting in largely vacant opposition benches.

Speaker Thomas acknowledged the absence of formal feedback from the executive branch, attributing the delay to President Julius Maada Bio’s demanding schedule of state engagements.

The Speaker affirmed his dedication to continuous mediation, promising to maintain advocacy with the President toward a resolution.

House Minority Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo commended the Speaker's commitment to dialogue, describing the initiative as "admirable".

Minority Leader Kargbo expressed concern regarding the lack of engagement from other government sectors since the initial meeting with the Speaker, noting that no other officials have initiated formal negotiations to address the issues driving the boycott. He formally requested that Speaker Thomas leverage his influence to ensure direct engagement between the President and the opposition to expedite the process.

While the diplomatic check-ins between the Speaker and the APC remain the primary mechanism for restoring an inclusive legislative process, the Parliament of Sierra Leone continues to operate under the shadow of the ongoing boycott.