By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
In a significant move to enhance development cooperation, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Monday, December 9, 2024, hosted a high-level delegation from the Expertise France Groupe.
The delegation, led by Jean Philippe Derosier, Chief Project Lead of the Parliamentary Cooperation Project (PACOP), discussed strategic collaboration in key areas such as legislative functions, gender equality, administrative reform, financial autonomy, and open governance.
The initiative is part of a broader partnership funded by the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs and supported by Expertise France Groupe AFD. This ambitious two-year project, running from September 2024 to August 2026, includes four African countries—Sierra Leone, Botswana, Benin, and Gabon, with the aim to foster parliamentary cooperation and capacity building.
During the meeting, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, welcomed the delegation, emphasizing Sierra Leone’s readiness to embrace the components of the PACOP project. He highlighted that the project aligns with Parliament’s Strategic Plan, which focuses on key areas such as legislation, oversight, gender issues, administrative organization, financial independence, and transparency.
Acknowledging the ambitious scope of the project, Speaker Thomas commended its vision but noted that the proposed two-year implementation period may not suffice to achieve its full impact. Nonetheless, he reassured the delegation of Parliament’s commitment to ensuring successful outcomes.
Jean Philippe Derosier, Chief Project Lead for Expertise France, described the PACOP initiative as a groundbreaking effort to strengthen parliamentary cooperation across four African countries—Benin, Gabon, Botswana, and Sierra Leone. Backed by the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Expertise France Groupe AFD, the project seeks to promote legislative collaboration and capacity building. Derosier explained that activities would include fostering open parliamentary practices and enhancing international relationships. He revealed that the implementation phase, which began in September 2024, would run until August 2026, with Sierra Leone and Botswana currently in the exploratory stages.
The Director of Training and Strategy, Mohamed A. Jalloh, provided insights into the Sixth Parliament’s achievements, including the introduction of a Legislative Compendium cataloging enacted laws and milestones. Jalloh also highlighted Parliament’s partnership with civil society organizations to foster transparency and openness. He underscored the progress made in promoting gender inclusivity, with 42 female Members of Parliament, and reiterated Parliament’s readiness to support the PACOP project’s success.
Clerk of Parliament Hon. Paran Umar Tarawalie spoke candidly about challenges in implementing Parliament’s Strategic Plan, citing funding constraints as a key obstacle. Despite these hurdles, he expressed pride in the Sixth Parliament’s transparency initiatives, including public access to parliamentary proceedings and participatory budget processes. Tarawalie affirmed Parliament’s commitment to aligning with the PACOP project’s objectives.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, lauded the Expertise France Group for its investment in Sierra Leone’s parliamentary capacity. He assured that both government and opposition members are united in their resolve to monitor the project’s implementation, ensuring it delivers tangible results. Hon. Kargbo emphasized the importance of accountability, vowing that the project’s resources would be managed effectively to maximize its impact.
The PACOP project represents a significant opportunity to enhance parliamentary governance in Sierra Leone, with stakeholders optimistic about its transformative potential.
