By G. Watson Richards
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia has printed into handbills the Act establishing the Mano River Union (MRU) Parliament, following its signing into law by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The legislation, previously passed by the Liberian Legislature under the leadership of House Speaker Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, marks a significant step toward strengthening sub-regional integration and cooperation among MRU member states.
The MRU Parliament traces its origins to July 2025, when Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire signed protocols formally launching the regional legislative body in Monrovia.
The initiative is widely regarded as a key achievement of Speaker Koon, who spearheaded efforts for the Parliament’s formation. The milestone came when the Speakers of the four member states convened at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex to sign the protocol establishing the regional legislature’s framework.
The MRU Parliament is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering regional development by:
Drafting and adopting regional laws;
Overseeing joint development initiatives;
Harmonizing trade and customs policies; and Ensuring compliance with Mano River Union agreements.
A central feature of the Parliament is its commitment to proportional and gender-inclusive representation, ensuring that diverse voices from all member states are heard.
The regional body is also expected to tackle shared challenges, including cross-border smuggling, climate change, and youth unemployment, while providing a unified platform for policy coordination and advocacy.
The printing of the Act into handbills represents an important step in raising awareness and facilitating endorsement by the legislatures and national assemblies of other MRU member states.
The establishment of the MRU Parliament is a major milestone in regional cooperation, with anticipated benefits including enhanced economic integration, improved security coordination, and expanded development opportunities across the Mano River Union region.
