MONROVIA – In a historic gathering held on July 18, 2023, the leaders of the legislative bodies from the Mano River Union member states—Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire—came together to officially launch the Mano River Union Parliamentary Body.
The event, hosted by Honorable Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia, signified a step forward in fostering regional cooperation and addressing shared challenges in West Africa.
The launch brought together esteemed speakers from the member states, including Honorable Sogepoh Solomon Thomas of Sierra Leone, Dr. Dansa Kourouma of Guinea, and Honorable Adama Bictogo of Côte d’Ivoire.
In his welcoming remarks, Speaker Koon emphasized the importance of the newly established body as an essential instrument for legislative synergy, aimed at harmonizing laws and addressing cross-border issues.
“This occasion is not only historic; it is strategic,” Koon stated. “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.”
The Mano River Union, which was formed in 1973, has weathered many challenges while striving for peace, development, and prosperity.
The Parliamentary Body is viewed as a critical platform through which national legislatures can collaborate on key issues such as trade, security, environmental protection, and human development.
Speaker Koon highlighted the urgent challenges the region faces, including cross-border insecurity, youth unemployment, climate vulnerability, and the movement of goods and people lacking sufficient legal frameworks.
He underlined the necessity of a coordinated legislative approach to tackle these issues, enabling member states to present a unified voice in crafting regional policies.
The launch was not just a ceremonial event but a call to action, Speaker Koon urged all member legislatures to invest in the Parliamentary Body’s success through active participation, resource support, and institutional capacity building.
He also acknowledged the vital roles played by regional partners, including ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, whose support has been instrumental in advancing the Union’s aspirations.
As the assembly concluded, Koon expressed a vision of regional unity through legislative action, emphasizing the critical need for combats against smuggling and illegal trade, climate change initiatives, enhanced regional trade, and the mainstreaming of gender in legislative processes.
“Let us legislate not just for our nations, but for our neighbors,” Koon urged. “Together, let us rise as one regional voice for peace, development, and dignity.”
The launch of the Mano River Union Parliamentary Body marks a pivotal moment for regional diplomacy and collaborative governance in West Africa, with hopes of fostering a future of shared growth and progress among the member states.
See the MONROVIA DECLARATION on the establishment of the MRU Parliamentary Body.
