Speakers of the four Mano River Union countries – the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Guinea and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, have unanimously signed the declaration of the establishment of the Regional Parliament (Mano River Union Parliament) on the 20th of July 2025, at the Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, Liberia.

The declaration marks their firm and shared commitment to working towards Manor River Union with an ambitious, representative, and effective framework for exchanging and serving their people.

MRU Parliament opens a new chapter in the history of our sub-region based on citizens’ participation, parliamentary solidarity, and the construction of our common future.

“Let us reaffirm that the strengthening of the sub-regional institutions requires an integrated parliamentary approach complementary to the actions of the head of state, support for the project to establish a Manor River Union Parliament, will constitute an institutional step forward in a sub-regional integration process. This parliament wish to create, when it requires the will and support of the respective heads of states as we aim,” a document reads.

So strengthening sub-regional democratic governance through the representation of people, promote human rights and social justice. It will harmonize national legal and legislative frameworks facilitating economic, social, security, and environmental integration between member countries. It will create a framework for permanent dialogue between people and institutions with a view of preventing conflicts, strengthening social cohesion, and encouraging lasting peace.

The new Parliament will support sub-regional initiatives in human security, climate resilience, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.

The declaration also notes that they will promote parliamentary diplomacy through sharing experiences, joint missions, and strengthening solidarity between member states that is guided by the common vision of peace, democratic governance, and social-economic integration that drives the Manor River Union.

Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of Parliament of Sierra Leone, in his statement said the proposal to establish a Regional Parliament under the Mano River Union (MRU) framework is both timely and visionary, for the MRU nations that share not only common borders but common burdens and aspiration: youth employment, security fragility, climate vulnerability, cross border barriers, and pressing need for infrastructure and economic integration. He added that their common challenges demand collective solutions, therefore, the Regional Parliament will offer a structured and accountable platform to addressing these challenges through harmonized legislation, democratic oversight, policy alignment and shared commitments.

Besides Rt. Hon. Speaker said the Regional Parliament will promote harmonized legislative frameworks, strengthen democratic accountability, facilitate structured dialogue among nations’ legislators, giving voice to citizens across borders.

He said it would support youth and gender inclusion, advance environmental stewardship and present a united front in global and continental platforms, aligning ECOWAS, Africa Continental Free Trade and Agenda 2063 for Africa’s development.

He affirmed that the regional legislative body would serve as a robust platform for parliamentary diplomacy. He offered his unweaving endorsement and support for the noble idea.

“Sierra Leone stands ready – administratively, politically and legislatively – to work with the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Guinea, and the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire to realize this vision,” he affirmed.

Speaker Thomas assured that integration is not a gift “it is a responsibility.”

Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia said the Mano River Parliament is set as a critical bridge to ensuring that environmental protection and human development enable law makers to directly engage their citizens, and depend diplomatic relationship across borders.

He urged all to invest, not only in participation but in resources.

He said that the day marks a new era of parliamentary work across the countries. He said, through this new body, they will be shaping the feature of their people across political alliance for the growth and development of their countries.

He said, “we must work together to strengthen parliamentary bodies, legal trade and fare market among the people.”

He added that, “as parliamentary members we must live in a green policy, enhancing regional trade, and protocol especially for women and must work together most especially on the area of gender main streaming as they can not speak as one if their gender continues to face barriers.”

In conclusion, he affirmed commitment and assured counterparts of progressive Regional Parliament and thus signed the declaration.

The other Speakers – Speaker of the National Transition of Guinea and Speaker of the National Assembly of Cote D’Ivoire – also pledged commitment and signed the declaration.

According to the draft Protocol – which is not yet endorsed- the Manor River Parliament will be composed of five members of each parliament of the four countries. Each Member State will be proportionally represented in accordance with the number of seats in its National Parliament, provided no member state shall have not less than five members and not more than fifteen members.

It states that parliamentary delegations shall reflect the political and gender composition of their respective national parliaments whom will be nominated or elected by legislators in accordance with their constitution and rules of procedures.

Article six of the Protocol states that each member shall serve for a term of four years, renewable once, unless otherwise decided by their Parliament; and Article seven which provides for rights and duties of members states that each member shall perform the following duties: debate, propose, and vote on MRU laws, oversee project implementation, and represent national and parliamentary interests; engage in sub-regional dialogues and forums, advocate in regional or continental bodies, and harmonize national legislation across MRU states; ensure transparency in MRU initiatives, promote peace, security, democratic norms, report outcomes to national governments and support elections oversight.

On immunities and privileges under Article eight states that, among other, the members of Parliament enjoy parliamentary immunity for words or writings and acts performed in the exercise of their official functions; benefit from the inviolability of their person and protection against arrest, detention or legal proceedings when they attend the sessions or are in transit;

Under Article nine, the organs of the parliamentary body include the general assembly of all the members of the Parliament, the bureau will be composed of a President (Speaker) and three (3) vice-presidents (Deputy Speakers), elected (on a rotational and geographical basis) rotating between the four members states of the Union.

Standing Committees, shall include: Committee on Peace and Security; Committee on Regional Integration, Infrastructure & Economic Development; Committee on Gender, Youth and Social Protection; Committee on Environment, Sustainable Development, and Natural Resources; Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights; Committee on Maritime & Blue Economy; Committee on Health, Committee on Information Technology and Cyber Security; and Committee on Finance, Budget, and Administration.

The Secretariat as prescribed in the Protocol, the administrative arm, will be headed by the Clerk of the Parliament. Functions of the organs of the Parliament under Article ten says the plenary shall be the highest deliberative and decision-making organ of the Minor River Parliamentary Body (MRUPB).

The Protocol adds that the Body will bring together all duly designated members from the national parliaments of the Member States and will be responsible for shaping the policy direction, oversight, and legislative influence of the body; debate sub-regional issues of common interest (concern): Discuss and debate issues affecting the Sub-region, including peace and security, trade, infrastructure, public health, climate change, youth empowerment and cross -border cooperation. It says the Body will also debate and adopt resolutions and recommendations: Issues Resolutions, official Declarations and Recommendations for consideration by the Union’s Secretariat, the Council of Ministers and the Heads of State. Consider and comment on regional instruments: Review proposed protocols, agreements, conventions or strategic frameworks developed by the Union.