By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Acting Leader of Government Business, Honourable Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, delivered a powerful and wide-ranging address in Parliament, expressing firm support for several international agreements brought forward by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In his remarks, he emphasized the vital role of parliamentary ratification, praised diplomatic breakthroughs, and highlighted the broader benefits for national development, marine protection, and child rights.
Opening his statement, Hon. Tawa Conteh reaffirmed the constitutional principle that no international agreement becomes valid until ratified by Parliament.
“Such agreements are not valid until Parliament gives its blessing. Ministers and agencies must ensure that these are brought before this house,” he stated.
He called for expeditious ratification of agreements, particularly those aligned with global frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Commending the marine biodiversity agreement under UNCLOS, Hon. Tawa stressed its significance in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s marine ecosystem from over-exploitation and degradation, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
“It protects against the military and industrial exploitation of marine resources and promotes transparency through a clearinghouse for document sharing among nations,” he said.
He drew attention to the critical role of mangroves in protecting Sierra Leone’s coastal communities, citing personal experiences growing up in the swamps. Their depletion, he warned, has adverse consequences for both marine life and the environment.
“Mangroves protect us. They serve as fish nurseries and shield our communities from climate effects. Their loss exposes our people and our secrets—literally and environmentally,” he added passionately.
On the submission of Sierra Leone’s combined 6th and 7th periodic reports to the UNCRC, Hon. Tawa applauded the nation’s progress in protecting children’s rights, including recent legislation banning child marriage and President Bio’s Free Quality Education and Free Health Care programs.
“We are now protecting the child from conception to graduation,” he noted, underscoring the holistic approach the government is taking toward child welfare.
Turning to the visa exemption agreement with Kazakhstan, Hon. Tawa described it as a strategic move that opens new frontiers for Sierra Leone’s diplomatic diversification and investment opportunities.
He lauded Kazakhstan’s strength in agriculture, renewable energy, and human capital development, and encouraged the Minister of Foreign Affairs to push for longer visa-free durations to encourage deeper engagement.
“Kazakhstan is a gateway to new opportunities. We must expand our reach beyond the traditional diplomatic circle,” he urged.
He also called on fellow MPs to look beyond fears of abuse through such agreements, arguing that diplomatic passports are secure instruments and unlikely to be exploited for criminal purposes.
Hon. Tawa Conteh commended Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba for what he described as bold, innovative, and globally minded diplomacy. He praised Kabba’s linguistic abilities, his respected presence on the international stage, and his role in advancing Sierra Leone’s standing in forums such as the UN Security Council and the African Union.
“He’s one of the few Sierra Leoneans who can speak almost every local language and even Russian, French, and German. That speaks to the level of respect he commands globally,” Tawa said with admiration.
In closing, the Acting Leader called on Parliament to approve the agreements swiftly and to continue supporting initiatives that place Sierra Leone at the heart of international cooperation and sustainable development.
“We cannot operate in isolation. The world is a global village, and Sierra Leone must find its seat at the table,” he concluded.
With bipartisan backing and a renewed sense of diplomatic confidence, Sierra Leone now moves to domesticate these agreements—solidifying its commitment to international law, environmental stewardship, child protection, and global engagement.
