Congo Town, Monrovia – A historic agreement establishing the Mano River Union Parliament, a new regional organization dedicated to addressing common issues through legislative collaboration, was signed by legislators from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea.
At a high-level meeting in the capital of Liberia on Sunday, July 20, 2025, the agreement known as the “Monrovia Declaration” was signed. Cross-border concerns including youth unemployment, commerce, climate change, and trafficking are the main emphasis of the establishment of the new Parliament.
According to Speaker Richard Koon of Liberia, “this is a significant milestone for the region. We are no longer able to address these issues separately. The MRU Parliament provides us with a single voice.”
Presidents and foreign ministries have frequently been at the forefront of regional cooperation. This action marks a change as legislators take the initiative to create policies that cut beyond national boundaries. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, the speaker of Sierra Leone, stated that the region has shared challenges that call for a concerted response, such as trade restrictions, extreme weather, and unstable security.
“Our countries share burdens and borders. With the help of this Parliament, we can legally unify our policies and hold our governments responsible,” Thomas said.
There will be five to fifteen representatives from each nation in the new body. When functioning in their official role, delegates will have parliamentary immunity and serve four-year renewable terms.
The MRU Parliament will oversee cooperative development projects, coordinate trade and customs regulations, create and vote on regional legislation, and keep an eye on adherence to MRU agreements. One of the driving principles will be gender-inclusive and proportional representation.
Stopping smuggling, combating climate concerns, fostering regional trade, expanding women’s rights, and strengthening parliamentary oversight are the five main goals that Koon listed.
He said “smuggling is bleeding our countries from fuel to timber and minerals. We need to strengthen border security and harmonize customs regulations.”
