By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a renewed effort to break the ongoing political impasse in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, on Friday, April 10, 2026, reconvened a second high-level meeting with Members of the Opposition in a bid to persuade them to end their continued boycott and return to their constitutional legislative duties.

The engagement, described by the Speaker as a follow-up to earlier discussions, formed part of sustained efforts to restore normal parliamentary business amid growing concerns over the absence of opposition lawmakers from sittings. Addressing the meeting, Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas said he had earlier pledged to communicate the concerns raised by the opposition to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio following their previous engagement. However, he explained that the President had been occupied with several national and international commitments.

Despite that, the Speaker stressed that his decision to reconvene the meeting underscored the urgency of the matter and his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all elected representatives return to Parliament in the national interest.

He passionately appealed to Members of Parliament from the All People’s Congress (APC) not to abandon their legislative responsibilities on account of disagreements with the Executive, noting that Parliament remains the central institution for democratic debate, accountability and lawmaking.

The Speaker emphasized that there are pressing national issues requiring urgent parliamentary attention, especially a number of critical bills awaiting enactment. He noted that the presence and participation of the Opposition are indispensable in the legislative process, particularly in the passage of laws that have far-reaching implications for governance and national development.

According to him, the absence of opposition lawmakers weakens the democratic process and deprives citizens of robust debate and alternative perspectives that are essential to good governance. He reminded the lawmakers that the Opposition plays a vital and irreplaceable role in every thriving democracy and urged them to resume their constitutional duties without further delay.

In a conciliatory tone, the Speaker assured the opposition that Parliament itself provides adequate democratic space for them to express dissatisfaction, frustration or grievances. He specifically encouraged them to use the Well of Parliament as the appropriate constitutional platform to ventilate their concerns rather than staying away from sittings.

He also expressed gratitude to the opposition MPs for honoring his invitation for the second time and for reaffirming their recognition of him as Speaker of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.

Segepoh Solomon Thomas further reassured the opposition caucus that he would continue to engage President Bio in search of a lasting political solution. He disclosed plans to explore the possibility of a direct meeting between the President and the Opposition leadership, stressing that sustained dialogue remains the most credible path toward national consensus and democratic stability.

“Dialogue is indispensable in any democratic space. Please find a way to come back to Parliament,” the Speaker pleaded, while thanking the lawmakers for their willingness to continue engaging.

Responding on behalf of the opposition, the Leader of the Opposition commended Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas for what he described as sincere and statesmanlike efforts to mediate the standoff between the Executive and opposition lawmakers. He said the Speaker’s calm leadership style and inclusive approach continue to inspire confidence, describing him as one of the admirable national leaders Sierra Leone can rely on in difficult political moments.

The Opposition Leader, however, lamented that since the first meeting with the Speaker, no further effort had been made by other state actors to engage them toward resolving the matter.

He reiterated that the Opposition remains a cornerstone of 21st-century democratic governance and called on President Julius Maada Bio to personally engage opposition leaders in the spirit of peace, trust-building and national cohesion.

Touching on the wider electoral concerns fueling the standoff, the Opposition Leader raised issues surrounding public confidence in future elections, particularly the role of Electoral Commission leadership. While acknowledging that the President’s appointment of Electoral Commissioner Edmond Sylvester Alpha was constitutional, he argued that constitutional decisions must also reflect public confidence and good faith.

He suggested that, in the broader interest of peace and long-term political stability, consideration should be given to ensuring that the 2028 electoral process inspires trust across the political divide.

He concluded by emphasizing that the opposition’s current position is not intended to derail governance but rather to seek credible dialogue and guarantees that will strengthen democratic legitimacy in Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/opposition-mps-demand-direct-talks-with-president-bio-amid-continued-parliament-boycott/