Mano River Parliament in Offing -4 Countries of Basin Signs Protocols for Establishment

MONROVIA – The Mano River Union (MRU) was established by Liberia and Sierra Leone in 1973 aimed to promote peace, security, and economic development through cooperation in areas like trade, agriculture, and infrastructure. Guinea joined in 1980, and Côte d’Ivoire in 2008. In 2025, the Union is adding a firm new feather, as the four constituent members have signed protocols towards setting up a legislative forum to harmonize laws, address cross-border challenges, and craft joint policy responses in key areas such trade and economic cooperation, climate change and environmental protection, regional peace and security, human developmen, gender equality and empowerment. The Analyst reports.

What seems to be a significant step to deepen regional legislative collaboration is in the offing, as the Speakers of Parliament from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire have signed a joint protocol formally establishing the Mano River Union Parliamentary Body (MRUPB).

The signing and official launch ceremony took place on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Monrovia.

The historic event was hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, and attended by his counterparts: Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of Parliament of Sierra Leone; Dr. Dansa Kourouma, Speaker of the Transitional Parliament of Guinea, and Hon. Adama Bictogo, President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire.

Also in attendance were high-level parliamentary delegations and the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.

In his keynote remarks, Speaker Richard Koon declared the establishment of the MRUPB as a new era of regional solidarity, emphasizing the critical role of parliaments in driving peace, resilience, and people-centered development across the MRU region.

“Today, we reaffirm our shared destiny and collective responsibility to build a region that is more united, more resilient, and more responsive to the needs of our people,” Speaker Koon said.

He called for institutional synergy and consistent legislative engagement to ensure the MRU achieves its full potential.

The Mano River Union Parliamentary Body is envisioned as a legislative forum to harmonize laws, address cross-border challenges, and craft joint policy responses in key areas such as trade and economic cooperation, climate change and environmental protection, regional peace and security, human development, and gender equality and empowerment.

“This Parliamentary Body is a critical institutional bridge. It allows us to approach our regional challenges not in isolation, but with a unified legislative voice—consistent, coherent, and committed to the well-being of all our citizens,” Speaker Koon affirmed.

Speaker Koon outlined five legislative priorities for the MRUPB: promoting regional unity through legislative action, combating smuggling and illicit trade, advancing environmental protection, enhancing regional trade, and mainstreaming gender in all legislative efforts.

Underscoring gender equality as both a moral and economic necessity, Speaker Koon reinforced his commitment with his familiar “HeForShe” chant, advocating for women’s empowerment to be at the heart of the regional legislative agenda.

The Speaker called for full operationalization of the MRUPB, urging member states to commit resources and active participation in building a strong, effective regional institution.

He expressed gratitude to international partners, including ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, and development organizations for their technical and diplomatic support toward the realization of the MRUPB.

“Let us rise, together, as one regional voice for peace, development, and dignity,” he declared. “Let this new parliamentary body be a living, breathing institution of action and integrity.”

The MRUPB will serve as a platform for drafting model laws, coordinating regional policy, and amplifying the voices of citizens across the four MRU countries. It marks a bold step toward a fully institutionalized regional parliament, bridging national legislatures for stronger collective governance.

In his statement at the event, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, reaffirmed his country’s full support for the establishment and long-term success of the MRUPB.