By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Leader of the Opposition in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has issued a stern call for the immediate resignation of the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Umarr Paran Tarawally, citing allegations of political conflict of interest and misconduct.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Hon. Kargbo raised serious concerns over the impartiality and conduct of Dr. Tarawally, accusing him of violating public service ethics by openly declaring his intention to contest for the position of Secretary General of a political party. According to Hon. Kargbo, this action directly contravenes the laws that prohibit public officials from holding executive roles within political parties while in office.
“The Clerk of Parliament holds a position of trust that demands neutrality and absolute non-partisanship,” Hon. Kargbo said. “By declaring his candidacy for a top political party position, Dr. Paran has not only breached that trust but also violated the very laws designed to protect the public service from political manipulation.”
The opposition leader stressed that Dr. Tarawally’s actions undermine the core principles of fairness and impartiality that the office of the Clerk is meant to uphold. He warned that such behavior could compromise the integrity of parliamentary proceedings and erode public confidence in the legislature.
Hon. Kargbo further accused Dr. Tarawally of making “derogatory and politically charged statements” against members of the opposition, actions which he described as “incompatible with the role of a neutral parliamentary administrator.” He emphasized that the Clerk’s conduct was not only unbecoming of his office but also posed a direct threat to the democratic functioning of Parliament.
“The Clerk is expected to serve all members of Parliament equally, regardless of political affiliation. When he uses his platform to attack opposition members, he disqualifies himself from that responsibility,” Kargbo asserted.
In his strongest warning yet, the opposition leader declared that he and other members of the opposition would no longer engage with or recognize Dr. Tarawally in his capacity as Clerk of Parliament should he refuse to step down.
“We will cease all engagements with him and challenge the legitimacy of his continued stay in office. This is not a political attack—it is a defense of our democratic values,” Hon. Kargbo added.
The call for resignation has sparked debate within political and civil society circles, with some legal and governance experts echoing the concerns raised by Hon. Kargbo. They argue that the integrity of public institutions hinges on strict adherence to neutrality and legal frameworks that prevent partisan interference.
As of press time, there has been no official response from Dr. Umarr Paran Tarawally regarding the allegations or the call for his resignation.
Observers now wait to see whether Parliament or other oversight institutions will act on the matter, which could set a significant precedent for political accountability and public service neutrality in Sierra Leone.
