By: Samuel B. Johnson
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FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE — House Speaker of Liberia, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, has strongly advocated for the urgent establishment of a Mano River Union (MRU) Parliamentary Body, emphasizing its potential socio-economic impact across member states.
Speaking during an official visit to the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Speaker Koon outlined the vital role a regional legislative framework could play in advancing peace, development, and integration within the subregion.
"Today, we are more than neighbors," he declared. "Liberia and Sierra Leone share a common history, culture, and destiny. It is time we translate that unity into bold legislative action."
Koon emphasized that a unified parliamentary body would enable the four MRU member states — Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire — to collaboratively tackle cross-border challenges through:
Harmonized Legislation: Aligning national laws on trade, education, security, and infrastructure to drive regional integration.
Stronger Democratic Oversight: Ensuring transparency and accountability in MRU initiatives and projects.
Dialogue and Peacebuilding: Serving as a conflict prevention platform and fostering cross-border cooperation.
Youth and Gender Inclusion: Promoting inclusive policies for youth and women across the region.
Environmental and Resource Governance: Addressing climate change and managing shared resources sustainably.
According to Speaker Koon, the proposed Mano River Parliamentary Body should not be viewed as a symbolic institution but as a strategic vehicle to unify voices and present coordinated legislative responses to issues that transcend national borders.
He concluded by urging all MRU member parliaments to act with urgency in actualizing this vision, stating, "This is our moment to build lasting frameworks that uplift lives, protect our environment, and prepare a stronger future for the Mano River region."
