Sierra Leone: Opposition MPs forced out of parliament

By Alpha Kamara

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AA) - Sierra Leone’s parliament was in a state of chaos on Wednesday afternoon after riot police stormed the house and forced protesting opposition deputies out for disturbing the proceedings.

The main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) lawmakers were protesting a High Court interim injunction on 11 proposed MPs of their party. They were accused by ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) lawyers of not being qualified to serve in the posts on the grounds that they were receiving government salaries up to this January, in violation of the Constitution.

The chaotic ceremony marked the opening of parliament, where MPs were to be sworn in.

Police forced out the 11 deputies and their opposition colleagues -- 68 deputies in total -- for disturbing the session.

The opposition APC party has the largest number of seats in parliament (68), while the ruling SLPP party has 49.

The SLPP is the ruling party as it holds the presidency.

Later, 78 MPs from the ruling SLPP and some opposition members controversially voted the SLPP’s Abass Bundu the new speaker. The APC deputies and four others from the National Grand Coalition NGC boycotted the process.

The position of speaker in Sierra Leone's parliament is important. Apart from chairing all parliamentary debates, in the absence of the president and vice president, the holder of the position becomes the acting president.