The Speaker of Liberia’s Parliament, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, has urged the creation of a unified Mano River Union (MRU) Parliamentary Body, emphasizing its potential to drive socio-economic development, legislative harmony, and regional peace.
Addressing Members of the Sierra Leone Parliament during his official visit on Thursday, May 29, Hon. Koon outlined a bold vision for elevating MRU cooperation from executive-level dialogue to legislative coordination among member states—Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
“Our parliaments must now lead with urgency to translate our unity into bold legislative actions,” Hon. Koon stated, as he emphasized the shared historical and cultural bonds between Liberia and Sierra Leone, including their common heritage rooted in the resettlement of freed slaves.
He proposed that the MRU Parliamentary Body would serve as a platform for harmonizing legislation on trade, education, security, and infrastructure, while strengthening democratic oversight, environmental governance, and youth and gender inclusion.
“The time has come for us to present common legislative positions on issues that transcend national borders,” Koon declared. He referenced prior discussions with Côte d’Ivoire’s Speaker, Adama Bictogo, expressing shared enthusiasm for a regional parliamentary front.
He further called on MRU parliaments to strengthen conflict prevention mechanisms and promote regional trade and infrastructure investments through frameworks like ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In his remarks, the Liberian Speaker also expressed gratitude to Sierra Leone for its diplomatic support, including backing Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Hon. Koon concluded by urging MRU lawmakers to embrace parliamentary diplomacy and unity in addressing the subregion’s shared challenges. “Let us rise above our national boundaries and build a Parliament that reflects the voice of the Mano River people,” he said.
The visit is seen as a milestone in efforts to deepen regional cooperation and strengthen legislative collaboration across the MRU bloc.
By James Cole
