Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Women’s Leader of the Sierra Leone People’s Party SLPP, together with a delegation of female executives from across the country, made a high-profile visit to the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday 12 August 2025.
The purpose of their visit was to formally demand a public apology to the First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, following an incident that took place during an important national event.
Their action came in direct response to a chant that erupted inside the Parliament chamber during the State Opening of the Third Session of the Sixth Parliament. As the First Lady entered the chamber, some Members of Parliament were heard chanting “You coco roast oh.” The moment was caught on video and quickly went viral on social media platforms, triggering widespread public discussion and criticism.
The SLPP women described the chant as highly disrespectful and unacceptable, especially given the setting in which it occurred. They stated that such behavior undermines the dignity of the First Lady and the integrity of Parliament itself. The group assembled in large numbers at Tower Hill and officially requested an audience with the Speaker of Parliament to express their concerns and call for disciplinary action.
During the engagement, which was held inside the Parliament building, the Speaker of Parliament acknowledged their concerns and told the women that the matter is currently under review. He said that the Members of Parliament responsible for the chant would be identified and held accountable once the necessary steps have been completed.
According to the SLPP Women’s Wing, their visit should not be mistaken for a protest. Instead, they described it as a principled and peaceful intervention meant to uphold respect for national figures and reinforce the importance of appropriate behavior within public institutions. They added that Parliament, being the highest lawmaking body in the country, must maintain standards of conduct that reflect the seriousness of its role.
The SLPP women made it clear that they are expecting a direct and formal apology from the Speaker of Parliament to the First Lady. They also stated that those responsible for chanting during the official session should face the necessary consequences for their actions. The group emphasized that their visit was not symbolic or for show, and they plan to continue monitoring the situation closely until a resolution is reached.
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