The Rt. Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has on Monday the 5th October 2026, called for deepened parliamentary diplomacy between Sierra Leone and the Republic of Guinea.
Speaker Thomas made the call while delivering his goodwill message at the historic State Opening of the 10th Legislature of the 5th Republic of Guinea, held in Conakry.
Addressing the ceremony, the Rt. Speaker Thomas said he was representing His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the Parliament and people of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
“Your Excellency, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea, Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea, colleague Speakers, Honourable Members of the ECOWAS Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,” Speaker Thomas began.
“It is with profound honour and heartfelt gratitude that I stand before you today, representing the President, Parliament and people of Sierra Leone at this historic State Opening. I bring the warmest greetings from Sierra Leone and from my colleagues in our House of Parliament, who share in the joy and significance of this occasion.”
Speaker Thomas used the occasion to congratulate H.E. President Mamadi Doumbouya on his recent election, and his Guinean counterpart, Hon. Dr. Dansa Kourouma, on his election as Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea. He also congratulated the people of Guinea on their recent celebration of independence from colonial rule.
On behalf of himself and his delegation, Speaker Thomas extended sincere thanks to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea, the President of Guinea and the people of Guinea for the gracious hospitality accorded them since their arrival.
He described the gesture as a reflection of the enduring friendship between the two nations.
“Today’s opening is not merely a ceremony; it is a reaffirmation of the strength of our people, the resilience of our democratic institutions, and the unbreakable bond between Sierra Leone and Guinea,” he said.
Speaker Thomas noted that the relationship between the two countries is deeply woven into history and culture.
“When you hear names such as Dumbuya, Kondeh, Turay, Jalloh, Bah, or Sheku, you cannot easily distinguish whether they belong to Sierra Leone or Guinea. This shared identity is a living testament to the fact that our destinies are intertwined, and our values are common,” he stated.
He reminded his audience that the work of Parliament is sacred, as it is where the voices of citizens find expression, where laws are crafted to uphold justice, and where oversight ensures accountability.
The Speaker said peace and prosperity are not destinations but journeys that require vigilance, dialogue and compromise. He said they demand that lawmakers rise above partisan divides to serve the greater good and protect the rights and dignity of every citizen, especially the most vulnerable.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker Thomas stressed that the challenges of the time -economic transformation, regional security, climate change and sustainable development, could not be faced in isolation.
“They require collaboration across borders, solidarity among neighbours, and a commitment to building institutions that are strong, transparent and inclusive,” Speaker Thomas said.
“In this spirit, I urge us to deepen parliamentary diplomacy between Sierra Leone and Guinea. Let us strengthen exchanges between our committees, foster cooperation in legislative practices, and build bridges that will enhance regional integration. Together, we can amplify the voice of West Africa in the global arena and ensure that our people reap the dividends of democracy.”
Speaker Thomas commended the Parliament of Guinea for its steadfast commitment to democratic governance and wished the House fruitful deliberations guided by wisdom, courage and unity of purpose.
“On behalf of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, I pledge our continued friendship and partnership. May our two nations walk hand in hand toward a future of peace, prosperity and shared progress,” he concluded.
“Long live the Parliament of Guinea. Long live the Parliament of Sierra Leone. Long live the unity and prosperity of Africa.”
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone.
