By Sulaiman Jalloh
The proposed establishment of a Mano River Union (MRU) Parliamentary Body marks a bold step toward regional integration, but its success hinges on addressing deep-seated challenges. To grasp its potential, we must first examine the legislative landscapes of its member states: Guinea’s unicameral National Assembly, Liberia’s bicameral legislature House of Representatives and Senat, Sierra Leone’s bicameral parliament, and Côte d’Ivoire’s unicameral National Assembly. June 7, 2025 This new body aims to transcend these national frameworks, aligning laws and fostering unity across borders.
Far from a mere symbolic gesture, the MRU Parliamentary Body is designed to harmonize legislation on trade, education, infrastructure, and security, driving economic development and regional cohesion. Its goals include strengthening democratic oversight, facilitating cross-border dialogue to prevent conflicts, and promoting youth and gender inclusion. Additionally, it seeks to enhance environmental governance and craft unified legislative positions on shared interests, creating a platform for transparency and accountability in MRU-led projects.
On May 29, 2025, Liberia’s Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Richard Nagb Koon, championed this initiative, addressing fellow lawmakers. This is not just an institutional formality, he declared. “It is a strategic tool to harness our collective legislative strength, unifying our voices on issues that transcend borders.” The body would comprise representatives from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, focusing on peace, security, and economic growth.
At first glance, the MRU Parliamentary Body appears to complement existing bodies like the ECOWAS Parliament, Pan-African Parliament, and African Union Parliament by shifting focus from domestic to regional priorities. Unlike national legislatures bound by local mandates, this body would facilitate cross-border dialogue, share best practices, and coordinate responses to challenges such as governance, infrastructure, and conflict. It also promises to boost trade through harmonized cross-border legislation, unlocking economic benefits for member states.
Yet, significant hurdles loom. The MRU countries are already part of broader legislative frameworks ECOWAS Parliament, African Union Parliament, and Pan-African Parliament which have struggled with slow decision-making, limited authority, inadequate funding, and ineffective crisis responses. Recent coups in West Africa, including some MRU states, highlight the failure of these bodies to address governance deficits and insecurity, eroding public trust.
Economically, the MRU nations Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire rely heavily on foreign aid, with modest GDPs that strain their ability to finance a new institution. Political instability, including military rule in some states, further threatens the body’s legitimacy and traction. The persistent Yenga dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea, despite years of MRU-led dialogues, exemplifies the Union’s inability to resolve localized conflicts, casting doubt on its capacity for broader reforms.
Sierra Leone’s Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Segepoh Solomon Thomas, endorsed the proposal, calling it a promising step to deepen bilateral relations. However, for the MRU Parliamentary Body to succeed, it must avoid replicating the pitfalls of existing models. It requires political will, sustainable funding, and enforceable authority, tailored to the region’s unique realities. Speaker Koon emphasized this need, noting, the time has come to elevate our cooperation from executive dialogue to legislative coordination, addressing youth empowerment, security, climate resilience, and economic integration.
The vision of a unified MRU legislature is inspiring, offering a platform for inclusive policymaking and stability. Yet, without addressing political instability, economic constraints, and institutional weaknesses, it risks becoming another well-intentioned but ineffective structure. As of June 2025, the path forward demands bold innovation and commitment to transform the MRU into a dynamic force for diplomacy and economic prosperity.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 9TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
