The Honorable Speaker of the House of Parliament of Sierra Leone, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, addressed a high-level meeting of Speakers of Parliaments from Atlantic African States in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday, 6th February 2025.
The initiative of the Atlantic African States, along with the broader African Atlantic collective, focuses on enhancing collaboration among nations along the Atlantic coast. These efforts aim to tackle common challenges, promote sustainable development, and strengthen political and economic ties.
This meeting, which began on Wednesday, 5th February, concluded on Saturday, 8th February 2025, with the goal of fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and addressing key issues affecting the African continent.
The objectives of the meeting are to strengthen inter-parliamentary dialogue in Atlantic Africa, support the Atlantic African States process, and establish the foundations of a parliamentary network dedicated to promoting sustainable collaboration among Member States.
The event brought together parliamentary leaders from across Africa to discuss critical issues related to the continent’s governance, including regional integration, economic development, and the strengthening of maritime security. The gathering also supports the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which aims to enhance cooperation among Atlantic African States, focusing on economic complementarities, sustainable resource management, and strategic investments.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the event is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between Sierra Leone, Morocco, and other African nations, reinforcing parliamentary ties and fostering mutual interests. It also underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional integration, security, and sustainable development within the African geopolitical space.
In his address, Speaker Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas highlighted that the government of Sierra Leone has been reviewing and updating its mining laws to promote transparency, attract investment, and ensure local communities benefit from mining activities.
These efforts reflect Sierra Leone’s dedication to balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and community welfare. He also noted that for the most current information on specific projects, local government releases or industry reports may provide further insight.
The Speaker emphasized that initiatives to improve infrastructure, including roads, are also underway to support mining activities. These improvements will enhance both domestic and international investment, demonstrating Sierra Leone’s commitment to a united approach to common challenges and sustainable development across Atlantic African nations. He also stressed that ongoing engagement and dialogue between states will be essential for the success of these initiatives.
In his statement, the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Morocco, Hon. RachidTalbi El Alami expressed pleasure in welcoming the delegation, which comprises of representatives from 23 African States along the Atlantic Ocean.
He remarked that linking these countries will facilitate intra-continental exchanges, promote economic integration, and foster greater reliance on the capabilities and resources of the region. This, he believes, will deepen South-South cooperation, based on solidarity and shared profit, within the framework of global governance and market dynamics.
Other parliamentary leaders from African countries also shared their statements during the event.