By Fatima Babih, EdD
In a democratic society, freedom of expression is a cornerstone of justice, equality, and human dignity. Yet in Sierra Leone, the recent arrest of Hawa Hunt, a Sierra Leonean national and Canadian citizen, for allegedly insulting the so-called First Lady, Fatima Bio, is a stark reminder of how far Sierra Leone as a nation has drifted from these ideals. While insult should never be condoned as a form of communication or protest, normalizing imprisonment as punishment for it sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the very fabric of our democracy and human rights.
The issue here transcends personal grievances or the appropriateness of Hawa Hunt’s choice of words. It highlights a disturbing pattern of abuse of power, where those in authority weaponize law enforcement and the justice system to suppress dissent and instill fear in citizens. By accepting the arrest of Hawa Hunt—a private citizen—for what is essentially a civil matter, we are normalizing tyranny in Sierra Leone. Such acceptance only emboldens an arrogant and corrupt Fatima Bio while reinforcing the unchecked authoritarian tendencies of Julius Maada Bio.
This is not merely about one woman’s freedom. It is about the rights and freedoms of every Sierra Leonean. By allowing Fatima Bio to wield the justice system as her personal tool of vengeance, we are sending a chilling message: dissent and criticism, however trivial, can result in the loss of freedom. If we do not stand against this injustice, we pave the way for further erosion of our liberties in Sierra Leone.
The arrest of Hawa Hunt should alarm every Sierra Leonean. It signals a slide toward a future society where power silences opposition and the justice system is manipulated to protect the egos of those in high office. We must ask ourselves: What does it mean to live in a democracy if citizens can be detained simply for speaking their minds? What freedoms are we left with when criticism of public figures, however distasteful, becomes an arrestable criminal offense?
This is not the first time that the Fatima Bio and her husband have used their positions to suppress voices of dissent. One of several examples is the case of Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, an opposition party leader. He languished and nearly died in prison for close to four years, on trumped-up, unsubstantiated charges of raping a minor, which was orchestrated by Fatima Bio.
Before his arrest, Kamarainba was the most vocal opposition party leader and critic of Julius Bio and Fatima Bio’s corruption.
So, this is a well-established pattern of silencing dissent by the Bios. By remaining silent or, worse, supporting the Bio’s actions, Sierra Leoneans enable their authoritarian grip on our nation to tighten and entrench. The people of Sierra Leone must understand that defending Hawa Hunt’s right to freedom is not about endorsing her words but about upholding the principles of justice, due process, and human rights that belong to every citizen.
When we demand #FreedomForHawaHunt, we stand up not just for one woman but for the collective rights of all Sierra Leoneans. We reject tyranny, corruption, and injustice. We say no to a system in Sierra Leone that prioritizes the egos of the powerful over the freedoms of the country’s citizens.
Let us not wait until more of our freedoms are taken away, until more voices are silenced. The time to act is now. By speaking out, demanding justice, and standing united, we can protect our democracy and ensure that Sierra Leone remains a nation where the rights of the people are respected above all else.
Failure to do so could lead to a further erosion of our liberties in Sierra Leone. #FreedomForHawaHunt is a call to action. It reminds us that injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere. It is a stand for democracy, human rights, and the dignity of every Sierra Leonean.
Together, let us rise and say no to Julius and Fatima Bio’s tyranny in all its forms.
#FreedomForHawaHunt
#FreeHawaHun
t#UnityFreedomJustice
MAMA SALONE ~ Lioness of the West Coast 