During the parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas reminded Members of Parliament (MPs) of their primary responsibility to the people they represent.
In his address, the Speaker made specific reference to Section 97(b) of Act No. 6 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which states: “All Members of Parliament shall regard themselves as representatives of the people of Sierra Leone and desist from any conduct by which they seek improperly to enrich themselves or alienate themselves from the people.”
He also welcomed MPs back from a prolonged recess, reiterating that their core duty is to serve the citizens of Sierra Leone. He emphasized that their election into Parliament is a mandate to prioritize national interest above all other considerations.
Speaker Thomas clarified that the extended adjournment had been planned to allow the All People’s Congress (APC) Party to complete its lower-level elections, while also considering the observance of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. He explained that this decision was made in good faith to ensure that members of the party were not disadvantaged by having to attend parliamentary sittings during their internal electoral process.
He declared that parliamentary work has now resumed in full, noting that sittings will be held more frequently going forward. He urged MPs to approach their duties with renewed commitment and energy.
“You have been elected by your people. You come to this House of Parliament to serve the Republic of Sierra Leone. All other considerations are secondary,” he stated. “While you belong to political parties, your foremost responsibility is to the people of Sierra Leone.”
The Speaker further encouraged MPs to actively participate in parliamentary proceedings and serve their constituents diligently. He noted that there are numerous legitimate avenues “more than one hundred and ten ways” through which MPs can engage the government and advocate for action but cautioned against using absenteeism from Parliament as a means of protest or pressure.
In conclusion, Speaker Thomas invited the leadership of the APC in Parliament to a special meeting in his chambers scheduled for 1:00 PM the following day.