After the former Speaker of
Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu, resigned, the Parliament of Sierra Leone met on
Thursday, May 2, 2024, to elect a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Honorable Segepoh Thomas Solomon, a member of the ruling Sierra
Leone People's Party (SLPP), was chosen to serve as the country's new
parliament speaker. After a round of votes, Hon. Solomon defeated Hon. Daniel
Koroma, a representative for Koinadugu District and the head of the main
opposition All People's Congress (APC) party.
A two-thirds majority was still needed to elect the Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament following three rounds of voting. With 128 votes, Hon. Segepoh Thomas Solomon was the clear winner; Hon. Daniel Koroma only managed ten. Six MPs did not cast ballots, and one vote was ruled void.
But before the
decisive vote, Hon. Daniel Koroma graciously dropped his candidacy for Speaker
to maintain parliamentary harmony. He prioritized the unity of the
Parliament and made this decision after his party had shown that the proper
procedures were followed in choosing a Speaker.
Hon. Daniel Koroma gracefully withdrew his candidacy for Speaker
before the final vote, citing the need to preserve parliamentary unity. To
promote harmony within the Parliament, he decided after his party had demonstrated
the proper protocols for choosing a Speaker.
As the Speaker of the
Sierra Leone Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Thomas Solomon was chosen after the
honorable Hon. Daniel Koroma stepped down. Furthermore, Ibrahim Tawa Conteh was
appointed Deputy Speaker.
Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, a member of parliament for the Sierra Leone
People's Party (SLPP) in the Western Area Urban seat, was chosen to serve as
the deputy speaker of the legislature of Sierra Leone in another significant
appointment. With 94 votes, Conteh received more than his opponent, Hon. Amara,
who only received 47 votes. Four Members of Parliament also did not cast
ballots in this election.
With the election of Ibrahim Tawa Conteh as Deputy Speaker and Hon. Segepoh Thomas Solomon as Speaker, the Sierra Leone Parliament has undergone a significant leadership transition.
Both of them are charged with the vital duties of promoting
cooperation among legislators, protecting democratic principles, and pushing
the legislative agenda for the benefit of the nation as they take on their new
positions.
With this new leadership
in place, Sierra Leone anticipates a time of efficient government and fruitful
legislative endeavors targeted at resolving the country's urgent problems and
advancing its growth and prosperity.