Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally has officially resigned from his position as the Clerk of the Sierra Leone Parliament effective August 1, 2025.
This move follows his overwhelming victory in the election for National Secretary General of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) on July 31, 2025.
Mr. Tarawally’s candidacy and continued tenure as Clerk of Parliament had sparked significant controversy in recent months, leading to his administrative leave from the parliamentary role on June 20, 2025.
The Opposition Leader of Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, and the civil society group, League of Democracy Advocates (LoDA), had repeatedly called for his resignation or removal, citing breaches of constitutional provisions and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) Act. They argued that a public officer, particularly one in such a sensitive position as Clerk of Parliament, should remain non-partisan.
In an appreciation message issued today, August 4, 2025, Mr. Tarawally expressed gratitude to SLPP “foot soldiers” for their collective mandate. He pledged to serve the party to the best of his ability, stating, “your decision to place the administration of the Secretariat in my hands is a mission accomplished.”
Mr. Tarawally specifically thanked President Julius Maada Bio for his “continuous mentorship” and acknowledged the “extraordinary and overwhelming support” received from First Lady Madam Fatima Bio, as well as various party stakeholders, government ministers, Members of Parliament, and former MPs. He also extended his appreciation to supporters across all districts and regions of Sierra Leone, as well as diaspora groups in North America, UK&I, Canada, Australia, France, The Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, Ghana, and Turkey.
He confirmed his resignation from the Clerk of Parliament position, fulfilling a campaign pledge he made during his tours. “In fulfilment of this pledge, on Friday, 1st August 2025, I ceased to serve as Clerk of Parliament,” Mr. Tarawally stated.
The controversy surrounding Mr. Tarawally’s political ambitions intensified in May 2025 when Hon. Abdul Kargbo formally called for his resignation, accusing him of contravening Section 15(a)(ii) of the PPRC Act and Section 26(2)(b) of the 1991 Constitution, which prohibit public officers from holding executive positions in political parties or participating in their affairs.
The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) had even suspended its participation in parliamentary sittings in June, demanding the Clerk’s removal to safeguard the institution’s neutrality.
Following these developments, President Bio and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas engaged in discussions that ultimately led to Mr. Tarawally being sent on leave.
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