By Dr. Fatima Babih
In recent times, there’s been a troubling trend emerging within the corridors of power in Sierra Leone, one that warrants urgent attention and scrutiny. It’s the disturbing exploitation of women in leadership positions to execute the regime’s controversial agenda. This trend not only undermines the credibility of these women but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about women in positions of authority.
Phylis Kapu: From Maada and Fatima Bio Foundation to Deputy Minister
One such glaring example is Phylis Kapu, a familiar name linked with the Maada and Fatima Bio Foundation, as extensively cited in my book, “The Unbecoming Mrs. Maada Bio of Sierra Leone: A Case of First Lady Syndrome.” Ms. Kapu’s trajectory from the office of the First Lady to her current position as Deputy Minister of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning raises significant concerns. It appears she’s been strategically positioned to serve the interests of the Bios rather than the public good.
A recent incident captured on social media showcased Ms. Kapu in her official capacity, overseeing the eviction of individuals constructing luxury homes in an area prone to flooding. While the concern for public safety is paramount, questions arise regarding the legitimacy of these evictions. Many of these builders had obtained building permits through the Ministry of Lands, potentially under the oversight of Ms. Kapu’s male superior, Dr. Turad Senesie. Yet, when backlash ensues, it’s Ms. Kapu bears the brunt of public criticism, not her male counterpart.
This unequal distribution of blame not only unjustly targets Ms. Kapu but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about women in leadership. It reinforces the erroneous notion that women are inherently callous and unfit for positions of authority. In a patriarchal society like Sierra Leone, where gender biases run deep, such narratives only serve to hinder progress toward gender equality.
Dr. Ramatu Wurie: Abuse of Power as Minister of Technical and Higher Education
Furthermore, the exploitation of women in leadership isn’t confined to Ms. Kapu alone. Dr. Ramatu Wurie, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, has also come under scrutiny for her alleged bullying tactics towards the staff and faculty of the University of Sierra Leone.
In the intricate web of political maneuvering orchestrated by Julius Maada Bio, another troubling tale unfolds – the saga of Dr. Ramatu Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education. Handpicked by President Bio to succeed her biological uncle, Dr. Alpha Wurie, Dr. Ramatu Wurie’s ascent to power has been marred by blatant disregard for institutional norms and legal boundaries.
Upon assuming office, Dr. Ramatu Wurie wasted no time in asserting her authority, albeit through illegitimate means. Her first transgression came in the form of the unilateral appointment of a vice-chancellor at the University of Sierra Leone, flouting established procedures and contravening the laws of the land. This audacious act set the stage for further encroachments on institutional autonomy and academic freedom.
Dr. Wurie dissolved the entire University Council in a brazen display of power. This move not only violated legal statutes but also disrupted the governance structure of the country’s prominent educational institution. Her actions reverberated throughout the academic community, casting a dark shadow over the university’s operations.
What is particularly alarming is the legacy of misuse of power that Dr. Wurie carries forward. Despite inheriting the position from her uncle, who navigated the complexities of academia with prudence and integrity, Dr. Wurie has opted for authoritarianism and coercion. Her actions have sown seeds of discord and distrust among faculty, staff, and students, jeopardizing the very foundation of higher education in Sierra Leone.
The consequences of Dr. Wurie’s actions extend far beyond the confines of university campuses. With matriculation and examination processes thrown into disarray, the academic journey of countless students hangs in the balance. Graduations, progress markers, and the overall academic integrity of the institution are now at risk, thanks to the reckless wielding of power by a minister driven by political agendas rather than public service.
By interfering with university governance and perpetuating a culture of fear and intimidation, Dr. Wurie not only undermines the principles of democracy but also sets a dangerous precedent for the future of education in Sierra Leone. However, her familial ties to the president and her position as a trusted member of the Bio regime’s inner circle insulate her from accountability, emboldening her to continue down a path of impunity and abuse.
Admire Bio’s Reign of Impunity: Alleged Queen of the Drug Cartel in Sierra Leone
As the dark clouds of a drug epidemic loom large over Sierra Leone, one name stands out amidst the shadows – Admire Bio, the purported biological niece of President Julius Maada Bio. In a burgeoning drug market fueled by the deadly substance known as Kush, Admire Bio’s name has emerged as an alleged prominent figure in the realm of illicit drug manufacturing and distribution, painting a grim picture of impunity and complicity at the highest echelons of power.
Before President Bio assumed office in 2018, Admire Bio’s name was practically unknown in Sierra Leone. However, in the years that followed, she has risen from anonymity to notoriety, amassing wealth and influence at an alarming pace. Despite lacking education or profession, Admire Bio has become one of the wealthiest women in Sierra Leone today, flaunting her opulent lifestyle on social media with ostentatious displays of wealth, including lavish homes and extravagant travels to exotic destinations around the globe.
However, behind the facade of luxury lies a darker truth – Admire Bio’s alleged involvement in the manufacturing and distribution of Kush, a lethal drug ravaging communities across Sierra Leone. Persistent accusations linking her and her husband, Dausy Jalloh, to the illicit drug trade have cast a pall of suspicion over her newfound unexplained wealth and influence. Reports of young lives lost in Kush manufacturing explosions at her residence serve as chilling reminders of the human cost of her illicit activities.
In a brazen display of arrogance and impunity, Admire Bio’s recent appearance in a video, clad in gangster attire and defiantly rapping words of arrogance, underscores the depths of her audacity. Despite mounting allegations implicating her in criminal drug cartel activities, Admire Bio remains untouchable, shielded by her familial ties to the president and the pervasive influence of the political elite.
The damning testimony of the Inspector General of Police recently, frustrated by the insidious grip of corruption, further exposes the rot within Sierra Leone’s law enforcement and judicial systems. The revelation that “calls from above” routinely lead to the release of drug crime perpetrators, facilitated by high-level politicians and their associates, paints a chilling portrait of a society held captive by the tendrils of corruption and nepotism at the highest level of government.
The case of Admire Bio is perhaps the most egregious, as her speedy rise to power and wealth is shrouded in controversy and allegations of heading the illegal drug activities on behalf of the Bio family and regime. Their illegal drug activities are leading to the high number of deaths and addictions among the country’s youth population. Despite her alleged involvement in the trade of the deadly Kush and exploitation of her familial ties to the president, Admire Bio remains untouchable, shielded by her proximity to the powers that be in Sierra Leone.
Empowering Women or Perpetuating Patriarchy?
In essence, the ascent of women in leadership positions by the Julius Maada Bio regime embodies a dark side to the promotion of women in his administration. Instead of empowering women and promoting gender equality, these appointments serve to perpetuate patriarchal structures and entrench the regime’s grip on power.
Furthermore, by using select women to carry out the regime’s corrupt practices, Mr. Bio’s administration effectively muddies the path to leadership for ordinary women in Sierra Leone. This not only undermines the progress made towards gender equality but also reinforces the notion that women are inherently abusive in positions of authority.
The Julius Maada Bio regime’s exploitation of women in leadership positions is not only deeply misogynistic but also detrimental to the aspirations of women in Sierra Leone. Until we address the root causes of this exploitation and hold those in power accountable for their actions, true progress toward gender equality and women’s empowerment will remain elusive for our nation. We must continue to challenge patriarchal structures and demand accountability from politicians who seek to manipulate and exploit women for their own gain.
MAMA SALONE ~ Lioness of the West Coast 