On Wednesday, the 28/05/2025, a Legislative Delegation headed by the Speaker of the Republic of Liberia, the Rt. Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon paid a planned visit to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Republic of Sierra Leone Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, wherein the two Speakers of their respective Houses of Representation discussed the possibility of establishing the Mano River Union (MRU) Legislative Parliamentary Body within the Mano River Union Member States.
Highlighting the purpose of the visit, the Speaker of the Liberia Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon said the meeting between the two Speakers of Parliament was meant to advance discussion geared towards the promotion of democratic governance, peace, security and to further strengthen and ensure cross-border investment and trade, creating a viable roadmap in deepening insights for their respective neighborlines, promoting solidarity, demonstrating strives in conflict prevention measure to ensure a stable political and regional peace against any external threat of aggression.
The Speaker from Liberia continued that the proposed Mano River Union Legislative Parliamentary Body would help promote cross-border Trade and prevent drug dealing and terrorism within Member States. He acknowledged that they are the direct representatives of the people, which is all the more reason the establishment of the MRU would help address most of the challenges at their respective borders. He called on Speaker Thomas to team up and be part of the movement in formulating a framework as to how they would officially launch the proposed MRU Legislative Parliamentary Body.
Thrilled by the initiative, the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas welcomed the Liberian Speaker to Sierra Leone Parliament. Speaker Thomas noted that it was never meant for africa to have borders, adding that Africans are one people. He added that across the African borders, one would see people of the same tribe and same languages, making specific references to the Mendes and other tribes in Liberia. Speaker Thomas decried the unfortunate predicament of Western colonization, which demarcated Africa, making it very difficult for Africans to speak as one. Speaker Thomas, therefore, unhesitatively endorsed the idea of establishing the MRU Legislative Parliamentary Body. Speaker Thomas reiterated that Liberia and Sierra Leone are almost the same in terms of customs and traditions.
“We are just the same as you begin to imagine why we have the Mendes, the Mandigos in Liberia. Even the history of migration for the two countries is almost the same. I have the hope that some day this continent will be united”, he said.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker assured his Liberian Counterpart that he has undying support for the proposed MRU Legislative Parliamentary Body. He urged Speaker Koon to expedite the facilitation in order for all Speakers within MRU Member States to sit and chart the way forward for the momentous establishment of the proposed Mano River Union Legislative Parliamentary Body. Speaker Thomas also expressed optimism that other speakers within the Mano River Union Member States would definitely buy such a laudable initiative. Speaker Thomas concluded by requesting the Rt. Hon. Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon to address Honourable Members of the Sierra Leone Parliament on the next adjourned date, which is tomorrow, Thursday, the 29th of May 2025, of which the Liberia Speaker of Parliament graciously accepted to address Members of Parliament tomorrow.