AYV News, July13, 2023
The Rt. Honourable Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu has been re-elected as Speaker of the Sixth Parliament of Second Republic. The Speaker is one of the most powerful positions in Sierra Leone politics and without one, Parliament cannot function.
Hon. Dr Bundu’s party, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) secured the majority of Parliament following the general elections held on 24th June, with 81 MPs as against 54 APC MPs and 14 Paramount Chief MPs.
Hon. Abass Bundu won the election with a simple majority after the third rounds of ballot.
After the election of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, the Speaker announced some major appointments including the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma; Deputy Leader of Government Business 1, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, Deputy Leader of Government Business 2, Hon. Emerson Saa Lamina; Chief Whip Hon. Hon. Dickson Rogers, Deputy Chief Whip 1, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay and Deputy Chief Whip 2, Ibrahim Tawa Conteh.
Rt. Hon. Dr. Bundu was born on 3rd June, 1948 in Gbinti, Port Loko district to Pa Santigie and Isatu Kallay Bundu. He is a Lawyer, tactful Politician, Diplomat and the current Speaker of the House of the Republic of Sierra Leone Parliament which is the highest Lawmaking body.
He was elected as Speaker of Parliament on 25th April, 2018 by affirmatives of 70 votes out of 123 present. He is one of the most senior Northern politicians and one of the most influential members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party.
He is the older brother of Hon. Ibrahim Bundu, a former member of the opposition All People’s Congress and former majority leader of the House of Parliament.
From 1989 to 1993, Rt. Hon Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu was the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He also served at various times as Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Tourism and Cultural Affairs and Foreign Affairs and International Corporations
He was the Presidential Candidate of the now defunct Progressive People’s Party (PPP) in the 1996 Sierra Leone presidential election.
Rt. Hon Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu attended the St. Andrews Secondary School in Bo, the Methodist Boys’ High School in Freetown and the St. Edward’s Secondary School also in Freetown. While in secondary school, Bundu was a very brilliant student and he was highly admired by his fellow students and teachers.
Immediately after secondary school, Bundu left Sierra Leone as a youth and moved abroad to further his education. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Australian National University (ANU) and both a Master of Laws and a PhD in International Law from the University of Cambridge, England. He is also a Barrister-at-Law.
Rt. Hon Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu numerous positions include a Law Tutor in Cambridge University, Assistant Director of International Affairs and Consultant in Constitutional Law in the Commonwealth Secretariat in London from 1975–82; Executive Secretary of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from 1989–1993, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (1993–1995), Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources 1982–85; member of Parliament 1982-1992 and Presidential candidate in the 1996 Presidential election in Sierra Leone.
He is an expert on West African affairs and a renowned expert on constitutional and international law. Bundu has written a critical analysis of the Civil War in Sierra Leone, in his book entitled “Democracy by Force?” and several legal articles in various international legal journals.
In 1991, Rt. Hon Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu strongly criticized President Joseph Saidu Momoh’s Government for including clauses in the draft Sierra Leone Constitution 1991 that would have enabled President Momoh to contest under the 1991 Constitution with a clean slate and ignoring the 7-years stint he had served as President from 1985-1992; For this stance, he was expelled from the APC Party along with nine other people.
In 1996, Rt. Hon Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu formed his own political party (PPP) and ran for President in Sierra Leone. His bid was unsuccessful.
Presently, he is the Speaker of the First Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.
Pursuant to Section 83 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991), every Member of Parliament duly elected at the General Elections of 24th June 2023 shall, before taking seat in Parliament, take and subscribe the Oath of Office for Members of Parliament.
At today’s sittings, the Next Parliament of in this Second Republic, sitting commenced at 10am and saw all newly elected Members of Parliament fulfilling the sacred mandate given to them by voters.
This new Parliament which is the 6th Parliament of the 2nd Republic is slated to have 135 Ordinary Members of Parliament and 14 Members of Parliament totaling 149 MPs.
If the 53 MPs of the APC do not show up, the bulk of MPs totaling 95 Members of Parliament (81 governing SLPP MPs and 14 Paramount Chief Members of Parliament) will carry on the business that the people of Sierra Leone have mandated them to do.
The business of the House has been adjourned to Tuesday 18th July, 2023
