By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The leadership of both the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) in Parliament recently met with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House to discuss key issues affecting the functioning of Parliament and the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity. The meeting, which was witnessed by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, and other senior government officials, aims to provide an update on the progress made so far and to identify areas that require further attention.
During the meeting, the Majority Leader, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, congratulated President Bio on his recent appointment as Chairman of ECOWAS, describing it as a major diplomatic victory for Sierra Leone and a testament to the President’s leadership on the continent.
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, also congratulated the President on his appointment and used the opportunity to highlight three critical issues currently affecting the opposition in Parliament.
Firstly, Hon. Kargbo expressed concern over the continued incarceration of opposition members and supporters for matters relating to the 2023 elections, which he said violates the spirit of Resolution 4 of the National Unity Agreement. He also raised the issue of backlogs in the payment of salaries and entitlements owed to elected opposition officials, stating that failure to address such could negatively impact their terminal benefits and gratuities.
Secondly, Hon. Kargbo addressed recent controversies involving the Clerk of Parliament, describing the situation as a necessary action to preserve the neutrality, professionalism, and integrity of the institution. Finally, he reiterated the importance of swiftly constituting the electoral review oversight committee as recommended in Resolution 20 of the Agreement for National Unity.
In response, President Bio thanked both leaders for their thoughtful submissions and congratulatory messages, assuring them of his continued commitment to the full implementation of the Agreement for National Unity and acknowledged the importance of the APC in Sierra Leone’s governance landscape. The President stated clearly that national unity cannot be achieved without the full participation of the APC.
President Bio further revealed that he is preparing to convene a structured political dialogue between the SLPP and APC leadership, aimed at deepening trust, addressing lingering grievances, and promoting a sustainable framework for national peace and reconciliation. He assured the delegation that instructions have already been given to relevant authorities to begin implementing all outstanding resolutions without further delay.
The meeting concluded with a call for both parties to maintain the spirit of cooperation and patriotism in advancing Sierra Leone’s democratic gains and national development. The President’s commitment to implementing the Agreement for National Unity and promoting national unity and reconciliation is seen as a positive step towards building trust and cooperation between the two parties.
The meeting was seen as a significant step towards promoting national unity and cooperation between the ruling SLPP and the opposition APC. The discussions highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing the challenges facing the country and promoting national development.
In his closing remarks, President Bio emphasized the need for both parties to work together to advance Sierra Leone’s democratic gains and national development. He called on the leadership of both parties to maintain the spirit of cooperation and patriotism that had characterized the meeting.
The outcome of the meeting is seen as a positive development in the efforts to promote national unity and cooperation in Sierra Leone. The commitment of the President to implementing the Agreement for National Unity and promoting national unity and reconciliation is seen as a significant step towards building trust and cooperation between the two parties.
