The Rt. Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, on Monday, 5th October 2026, called for a deeper parliamentary partnership between Sierra Leone and the Republic of Guinea. The Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament used the historic State Opening of Guinea’s 10th Legislature of the 5th Republic as a platform to press for closer legislative ties.
Speaker Thomas represented His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Dr Julius Maada Bio, the people, and Parliament of Sierra Leone at the ceremony in Conakry. He made goodwill remarks to an audience that included the President and Prime Minister of Guinea, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea, fellow parliamentary Speakers, members of the ECOWAS Parliament, members of the diplomatic and consular corps and other dignitaries.
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to be here today,” said Speaker Thomas, who conveyed warm greetings from Sierra Leone and paid tribute to the importance of the occasion. In his address, he congratulated Guinea on recent political milestones and reaffirmed the long-standing bonds between the two countries.
In his remarks, the Speaker congratulated H.E. President Mamadi Doumbouya on his recent election and Hon. Dr Dansa Kourouma on his election as Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea. He also recognised the recent anniversary of Guinea’s independence from colonial rule, highlighting the historical significance of the moment for the Guinean people.
Speaker Thomas thanked the host for the hospitality he and his delegation had received since arriving in Conakry. He described the warm reception as indicative of the friendship between Sierra Leone and Guinea. “I wish to thank, on behalf of myself and my delegation, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea, the President of Guinea and the people of Guinea for the gracious hospitality extended to us,” he said.
The Speaker kept returning to the deep cultural and historical links between the two nations. He pointed out that Dumbuya, Kondeh, Turay, Jalloh, Bah and Sheku are common surnames on both sides of the border, a reminder, he said, that national identities and family ties often transcend geopolitical lines in this corner of West Africa. “This common identity is a living reminder that our destinies are intertwined and our values are shared,” he said.
“The legislature is a sacred institution where the voices of the people are heard, where laws are conceived to uphold justice and where oversight holds power to account,” said Speaker Thomas. He stressed that peace and prosperity are not static destinations, but rather ongoing journeys that require constant vigilance, dialogue and compromise, urging lawmakers to rise above partisan differences for the sake of the common good and the protection of the most vulnerable.
On contemporary challenges, Speaker Thomas stressed that economic transformation, regional security, climate change and sustainable development must be addressed together, as these issues cannot be solved in isolation. These cross-border challenges require collective answers and stronger institutions that are transparent, inclusive and resilient,” he argued.
In this spirit, I urge us to improve the parliamentary diplomacy between Sierra Leone and Guinea.” He gave specific points of cooperation. He called for increased interaction among parliamentary committees, better collaboration in legislative practices and the building of bridges that will fast-track regional integration. He said such measures would not only bring a harmonised approach to legislation but also strengthen West Africa’s voice in the world and help translate democratic gains into tangible benefits for citizens.
Speaker Thomas also congratulated the Parliament of Guinea on its commitment to democratic governance and wished the National Assembly productive deliberations marked by wisdom, courage and unity of purpose. He assured the Parliament of Sierra Leone of continued friendship and partnership between the two institutions and the people.
In his concluding remarks, the Speaker expressed solidarity and optimism and called for continued cooperation and mutual support as the two nations work toward shared progress. “May our two countries walk hand in hand toward a future of peace, prosperity and shared progress.” He ended with an affirmation of collective aspiration: “Long live the Parliament of Guinea. God bless the Parliament of Sierra Leone. “Long live the unity and prosperity of Africa.
