First Lady Fatima Bio Conduct at Parliament Draws Outrage

By Benjamin S Conteh

The ceremonial State Opening of the Third Session of the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Parliament on Thursday took an unexpected turn, when the conduct of First Lady Fatima Bio drew murmurs of disapproval, both inside the Well of Parliament and across the nation.

According to eyewitnesses and parliamentary attendees, the First Lady’s actions were perceived as disrespectful not only to her husband, President Julius Maada Bio, but also to Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Speaker of Parliament, and the entire legislative body.

The controversy began when Vice President Jalloh and the Speaker entered the Well of Parliament. In keeping with protocol, members of the public gallery and other attendees stood to welcome them. However, the First Lady reportedly remained seated, failing to join in the courtesy extended by the rest of the assembly.

The situation escalated when, during President Bio’s address to the nation, the First Lady was seen on the social media platform TikTok and wearing earphones in both ears. Witnesses allege she continued in this manner throughout most of the President’s speech, only removing the earphones towards the end by which time murmurs of disapproval had already spread among attendees.

To many observers, her actions were not only a breach of parliamentary decorum but also unbecoming of her position as the “mother of the nation.” Critics argue that her conduct undermined the solemnity of the occasion and projected a dismissive attitude toward the institution of Parliament.

Eyewitness accounts also report that the First Lady’s demeanor changed after opposition Members of Parliament began chanting in Krio, “You koko rose, how you manage you koko rose ooo.” This appeared to unsettle her, and she remained visibly affected until the President concluded his speech.

The President’s address, tabled by Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma, will now proceed to parliamentary debate before the House goes on recess.

For many, however, the substance of the President’s message was overshadowed by the First Lady’s controversial conduct
an incident now being widely discussed in political and social circles as a source of national embarrassment.