The Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of Parliament of Sierra Leone, left Conakry for Freetown at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 7th October, after attending the State Opening of Guinea’s 10th Legislature of the 5th Republic. The Speaker, who headed a high-level delegation from the Sierra Leone Parliament, received a ceremonial and warm send-off for his participation in the historic event.
Before leaving, Speaker Thomas received a full Guard of Honour and a standing ovation from Guinean authorities at the National Assembly of Guinea.
The Guinean Republican Guard formally bade him farewell, recognising his status as the head of a sister nation’s legislature and a key partner in regional parliamentary cooperation. The guard inspection drew resounding applause and a standing ovation from members of the Guinean National Assembly, government officials, diplomats, and guests, reflecting the fraternal ties between the two neighbouring states.
Speaker Thomas travelled to Conakry at the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea, Hon. Dr Dansa Kourouma, to attend the State Opening Ceremony. His participation and the warm reception he enjoyed are seen as reciprocation, reflecting close collaboration between the parliaments of Sierra Leone and Guinea within the framework of the ECOWAS Parliament and other regional bodies.
After the ceremony, Speaker Thomas expressed his sincere thanks for the honour done to him and his delegation. He stressed the need to further strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, improve cross-border cooperation, and promote legislative exchanges for regional stability and development.
Meanwhile, reports circulating on social media that Rt. Hon. Speaker Thomas was unable to attend a Supreme Court hearing today due to illness have been strongly denied. The Speaker was out of the jurisdiction on official business and therefore could not attend. Officials said his presence was not necessary because the State was well represented at the hearing.
