-After Boakai’s Assent
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Liberia has printed into handbill the Act establishing the Mano River Union (MRU) Parliament, following its signing into law by the President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The legislation was earlier passed by the Liberian Legislature under the leadership of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon.
The passage of the bill marks a significant step toward strengthening sub-regional integration and cooperation among Mano River Union member states.
The establishment of 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 milestone initiative is widely regarded as a major achievement of Speaker Koon, who led efforts for the formation of the MRU Parliament. The breakthrough came when the Speakers of the four member states convened at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex and signed the protocol establishing the framework for the regional parliament.
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 key feature of the Parliament is its commitment to proportional and gender-inclusive representation, ensuring that diverse voices from across member states are adequately represented. The initiative is also expected to address shared regional 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 marks an important step in advancing awareness and facilitating endorsement by the legislatures and national assemblies of other MRU member states for onward action. The establishment of the MRU Parliament represents 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.
