Speaker Thomas urges opposition to return to parliament

The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, met with opposition leaders on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in an attempt to end their boycott of parliamentary sittings. The meeting aimed to persuade the opposition to resume legislative activity.
Leader of the Opposition Hon. Abdul Kargbo stated that their withdrawal was due to the appointment of Mr Edmond Alpha as the new Chief Electoral Commissioner, and that Mr Alpha should not be allowed to conduct or supervise the 2028 elections.
After hearing these concerns, the Speaker urged the delegation to put aside partisan differences and return to Parliament, emphasising that executive appointments should not be used as an excuse to boycott the legislature. He urged the opposition to pursue grievances through parliamentary and other non-disruptive channels, pointing out that MPs were elected to serve Sierra Leoneans.
Speaker Thomas emphasised several pending constitutional amendments that require full parliamentary participation and thanked opposition leaders for their attendance. He also stated that he would communicate the meeting’s outcome to H.E. President Julius Maada Bio and seek a comprehensive approach to resolving the current impasse.
The talks were characterised as a positive step toward strengthening parliamentary democracy and bipartisan cooperation. The outcome is expected to pave the way for the opposition to resume sittings and a more inclusive approach to addressing the country’s governance issues.