A delegation from the Iranian Parliament, led by the Iranian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, paid a courtesy visit to the parliamentary leadership of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, where they devised means to strengthen the bilateral relationship through agricultural and mining activities.

Welcoming the delegation, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas told the delegation that the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone has a population of one hundred and forty-nine (149) Members of Parliament. He also informed them including fourteen (14) Paramount Chief Members of Parliament.

He added that the Constitution of Sierra Leone made provision for one Paramount Chief Member of Parliament from each Provincial District. Speaker Thomas said no one political party has a two-third majority in the current composition of Sierra Leone Parliament. Speaker Thomas expressed elation for the diplomatic visit by the Iranian delegation to Sierra Leone Parliament. He therefore called for a deepening stance of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh said the visit of the Iranian delegation to Sierra Leone was a testament to sustaining the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two countries.

He added that several efforts have been made in the past to ensure that the Sierra Leone-Iranian Parliamentary Friendship is sustained.

He commended the Iranian Ambassador to Sierra Leone for his relentless effort in ensuring that the Sierra Leone-Iran friendship became fruitful and viable.

The Deputy Leader of the opposition, Hon. Daniel Koroma put it to the Iranian delegation that he had seen less of the Iranian presence and interface, especially with the Parliament of Sierra Leone.

He, however, expressed optimism that with the courtesy call to the Sierra Leone Parliament coupled with the enviable leadership of Speaker Segepoh Thomas; they would continue to have more parliamentary interface with Members of the Iranian Parliament.

He said there is so much that the two countries could benefit from each other. He recalled that they recently signed an MoU with Saudi Arabia, of which the MoU would open mutual investment opportunities for both countries. He also expressed optimism to see in the near future wherein Sierra Leone would sign an MoU with Iran for investment opportunities and more.

The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma appreciated the Iranian delegation for the visit.

He recalled that during President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s leadership, the Iranian government provided scholarships to students in tertiary institutions. He emphasized that the bilateral relationship is very important for the two countries.

He informed the delegation that Sierra Leone is religious tolerant. He therefore called on the delegation not to hesitate to go into agreement with country.

He affirmed that under the progressive leadership of the Speaker, they are ready to ratify any agreement from Iran, which is geared towards mutual development.

A representative of the delegation, Hon. Ara Shaverdian of the Iranian Parliament, appreciated the leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament for such memorable hospitality. He also appreciated the Iranian Ambassador to Sierra Leone for arranging such a mutually beneficial visit. He affirmed that indeed parliamentary interactions with other countries play a pivotal role in modeling development.

He congratulated the people of Sierra Leone for celebrating their independence. He assured that Sierra Leone had gotten a good friend in the Middle East in the name of Iran. He concluded by extending an invitation to the leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament to reciprocate such a friendly visit to Iran.