By Sulaiman Jalloh
The Speaker of the 55th House of Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, on Tuesday, May 29, 2025 proposed the establishment of the Mano River Union (MRU) Parliamentary body while outlining its Socio-economic benefits.
Addressing Members of the Sixth Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone during their 52nd plenary sittings of the second session of the sixth Parliament, the Speaker underscored the need to establish the parliamentary body something he said would enhance cross-border parliamentary oversights and champion policies that will benefit the Mano River member nations.
According to Speaker Koon, Liberia and Sierra Leone are more than neighbors. They are the co-founders of the MRU, in 1973_including shared histories ranging from culture and mutual aspirations for peace and development. “Both nations have historically served as homes for ex-slaves from the Americas, and people rescued from the transatlantic slave trade, giving rise to the Americo-Liberian and Krio communities that shaped the early political and social landscapes of our respective countries,” he stated. He said both countries’ Parliaments must work together to uplift the subregion. “Our parliaments, as the voices of our people, must now lead with greater urgency to translate this unity into bold legislative actions that uplift the subregion” he stressed
“The Mano River Union (MRU), founded in 1973, has served as a framework for cooperation among our countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. Over the years, we have seen joint efforts in trade, peacebuilding, and regional development. However, the time has come to elevate our cooperation from executive dialogue to legislative coordination” the head of the Liberia delegation narrated, saying the spirit to establish the Mano River Union Parliamentary body underscores Liberia’s unwavering support for regional cohesion, harmonized policy responses, and to collectively tackle common challenges_ from youth empowerment and security to climate resilience and economic integration.
Speaking on the objectives for the establishment of the said Parliamentary body, he noted it is intended to Promote Harmonized Legislation, to align national laws on trade, security, education, and infrastructure to support regional integration, strengthen Democratic Oversight: To ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of MRU projects, and facilitate Dialogue: To serve as a forum for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and dialogue between peoples of our sub-region among others. “The proposed Mano River Union Parliamentary Body is not merely an institutional formality. It will be a strategic instrument designed to harness the collective strength of our legislatures and unify our voices on matters that transcend borders” he informed members of Parliament, noting he had already informed his counterpart His Excellency Adama Bictogo, Speaker of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire someone he said equally shares same sentiment while calling on MRU legislatures to champion conflict prevention mechanisms and to ensure robust parliamentary oversight in fostering peace across borders.
“In advancing economic development, we must move with equal resolve. Let us advocate for more seamless cross-border trade, invest in infrastructure, and leverage regional frameworks such as the ECOWAS Trade Policy and the AfCTA to unlock prosperity for our people,” Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon urged, and that Parliamentary diplomacy, too, must take its rightful place in this new era.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
