Sierra Leone's First Lady Speaks Out Against Harassment in Parliament

 

In this archive photo, Sierra Leone's First Lady, Fatima Bio, is seen speaking as president of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development to promote their mission for women and children across Africa.

Clearly, Mrs. Bio takes her role as a political spouse seriously. She also understands that her support—or lack of support—for various interest groups can spark debate and create challenges, especially during party conventions, where she was recently confronted by her opponents for endorsing her preferred candidates.

However, she believes that being mocked, harassed, and humiliated in Parliament just moments before her husband, President Maada Bio, was scheduled to deliver his speech at the State Opening went too far.

Her protest against the unprecedented disrespect shown to a first lady has received sympathy from some parts of the Sierra Leonean public.

While members of parliament and her political rivals have been quick to mock her, many people acknowledge the challenges women face in the public eye. 

Below is an edited transcript of the video she recorded in Krio after the incident in Parliament during the State Opening.

Today, I want to speak out, not because I want to be on social media. But in a place where there is a lot of misconception, where people set out to destroy or tarnish an individual's character, and where you feel that no one is coming to speak on your behalf, I decided to talk to the nation in this video.

On Thursday, I went to parliament with my husband, President Maada Bio. When I left my house, I was in one piece, had no issues in my home, and went to parliament. As usual, this is one of the president's most important days of the year. So, I went there (parliament) wholeheartedly to support my husband and be there for him.

Because no one in this country has been more of a cheerleader for Maada Bio. No one in this country has worked harder for Maada Bio. No one in this country has served Maada Bio than I have to ensure his presidency continues, and it isn't mixed up with unnecessary drama. So when we left the house to go to parliament, I was very happy because this was one of the most important days for my husband.

Now, usually, when we get to parliament for the State Opening, we go to the Speaker's Office. In that office, people will sit and chat, and the officials will explain whatever they need to the president before they usher me in. This time, it was different.

When we got to the Speaker's Office, I was aware that my husband is a busy man and doesn't notice petty things. Way before we sat down, I heard murmurs about people hurrying into the well. I thought they were rushing off to be on time. Then they came to me and said, "Oh, Madam First Lady, come with us so we can show you to your seat." I got up and followed the ushers, because it's normal. That's what we do all the time.

When we got to the entrance of the well of parliament, the usher who was announcing my entrance, I realized something wasn't right.

Listen to the voices in this video; to our party members, [Sierra Leone Peoples Party] parliamentarians were the ones who began singing the song: Who dat ihn coco roas? [Translation: Whose cocoyam got roasted?]

As I entered the well and moved towards my seat, the whole well, SLPP members of parliament, and APC parliamentary members began singing [the lewd folk song] as if it were a street woman walking into the well of parliament.

Imagine this, the legislative arm of our country. This is the place where we should respect everyone present. The whole world was watching. This was Maada Bio's big day, the day that he tells the nation what he has done and what he plans to do.

This is the day they chose to target me, to humiliate me, and sing bawdy songs directed at me in the well of parliament. Some on both sides of the aisle were uncomfortable with what was happening. For example, a former MP, Alusine Kanneh, stood up and cheered me on in encouragement amidst the jeers.

The former chairman then turned to Kanneh and said, "Sit down. We want to deal with this one today!"

The Honorable Member of Parliament from Kono District, Rebecca Kamara, was screaming in protest at the way I was being treated. She called out to the MPs to stop treating the first lady in this way, something that has never happened in Sierra Leone.

Now, what have they done? They tried to make it seem that I went to parliament and disrespected the president. No, I did not. Because the president knows that no one wants him to succeed more than I do, I am his cheerleader. When I'm around my husband, I forget I'm the first lady. I'm more like a fan supporting my husband.

But these people taunted me in the well of parliament. They sang a song that they also sang during the SLPP's National Convention a few weeks ago. I didn't speak out about the behavior at the convention because conventions are political, and people are free to express themselves.

But when I walked into the house of parliament, I was there not as an SLPP member but as the first lady of Sierra Leone, and I was there in support of the president.

They used that time to sing bawdy songs, humiliate me, so that by the time they ushered the president in, I would've reacted, and they would use that reaction to make headline news. I'll pause here so you can watch the video.