The leadership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) met with His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, at State House to discuss pressing issues affecting Parliament’s operations. The meeting’s purpose was to provide updates on the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity, discuss recommendations from the Tripartite Committee, and congratulate the President on his recent accomplishments.
Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister, opened the session by welcoming the parliamentary leaders and reiterating the Executive’s commitment to promoting collaboration and dialogue for national cohesion. Following his remarks, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, Leader of Government Business, congratulated President Bio on his recent appointment as Chairman of ECOWAS, describing it as a significant diplomatic achievement for Sierra Leone that transcends political affiliations.
In response, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, congratulated the President but used the opportunity to raise three critical concerns. He emphasised the lack of implementation of Resolution 4 of the Agreement for National Unity, citing the ongoing detention of opposition members related to the 2023 elections and the backlogs in salary payments for elected officials.. Kargbo emphasised the importance of addressing these concerns.
In addition, he addressed the controversies surrounding the Clerk of Parliament, emphasising the importance of neutrality and professionalism in the role. He also urged the immediate formation of the electoral review oversight committee, as proposed in Resolution 20, to ensure the integrity of future elections.
In response, President Bio thanked the leaders for their contributions and reaffirmed his commitment to fully implementing the Agreement for National Unity. He recognised the importance of the APC in governance, emphasising that true national unity necessitates their active participation.
The President announced plans to initiate structured political dialogue between the SLPP and the APC to build trust and address grievances, while also ensuring that outstanding resolutions would be implemented as soon as possible.
He concluded by urging both parties to maintain a spirit of cooperation and patriotism while advancing Sierra Leone’s democratic progress and national development.
