On Friday, April 10th, 2026, the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas, for the second time, reconvened another meeting with Members of the Opposition in Parliament to address their continued boycott of governance, with a view to urging them to resume their constitutional parliamentary duties.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker said the meeting was a follow-up to previous engagements regarding the resumption of duties by opposition MPs. He explained that he had promised to relay feedback from the President after their last meeting, but that the President had several other engagements at the moment. He stated that his purpose was to continue pleading with APC Members of Parliament to resume their duties. He reiterated that Members of Parliament should not abandon their parliamentary duties because of actions by the Executive.
He emphasized that there were compelling reasons for the Opposition to return to Parliament, especially with critical bills pending enactment by Parliament. He stressed that the Opposition must be present during the legislation of critical bills, as lawmaking is a key function of Parliament. He noted that the Opposition is vital and critical in the democratic space of any nation, which is why he was pleading for them to resume their constitutional duties.
He urged that the Opposition could safely use the Well of Parliament to express their frustrations or grievances. He expressed appreciation to the Opposition for honoring his invitation for a second time and for recognizing him as their Speaker of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone. He assured them that he would continue engaging the President to resolve the issue, but continued to plead with the Opposition to resume parliamentary sittings whilst efforts to resolve the impasse between the Executive and the Opposition continue.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker reassured the Leader of the Opposition and all opposition Members that he would also engage the President to explore the possibilities of meeting with the Opposition to resolve the matter permanently. He said dialogue is essential in a democratic space. He concluded by thanking the Opposition for honoring his invitation. “Please find a way to come back to Parliament,” he said.
The Leader of the Opposition commended the Speaker for his efforts to resolve the issue between the Opposition and the Executive. He stated that the Speaker’s leadership and approach have proven that Speaker Thomas is one of the admirable leaders Sierra Leone should rely on. He added that they have tremendous respect for the Rt. Hon. Speaker and will continue to recognize him as their Speaker. He lamented that since the last meeting with the Speaker, no other person has engaged the opposition in the interests of resolving the matter.
The Leader of the Opposition continued that the Opposition was instrumental in 21st-century democratic governance. He called on the Speaker to communicate with President Julius Maada Bio to engage the Opposition. He also called on the Executive to set aside ego and pursue meaningful dialogue. He claimed that even if Edmond Alpha conducts the 2028 elections freely and fairly, citizens would still harbor doubts due to past events. He decried the existing perception of electoral processes in the country, adding that President Bio would not want his hypothetical successor to face the same electoral challenges.
He maintained that the relationship between the Opposition and the President should be even closer than that with the governing party. “Even if Edmond Alpha conducts the 2028 elections, members of the Opposition would question the outcome of that election regardless of its credibility and transparency,” he said. He acknowledged that the President’s appointment of Edmond Alpha was constitutional. He however noted that even constitutional decisions should be made in good faith. He suggested to the Rt. Hon. Speaker that the best course of action is for the President to find a way to recuse Edmond Alpha from conducting the 2028 elections in the best interests of peace and national cohesion. He stressed that their action was not intended to derail governance.