by Fatima Babih, EdD
Judge me or join me. These are among the chilling words recently uttered by Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Jabbie Bio, in a video message in which she also said she was ready to give her life in defending her involvement in the labor dispute between Koidu Holdings and its workers.
While her words may sound bold and defiant, those five words carry a much darker message beneath. It is a declaration of personal ambition wrapped in populist rhetoric. It is an ultimatum to the people of Sierra Leone to either align with her or be branded as enemy of the State.
Judge me or join me carries a powerful and threatening message to the people,
- First message, judge me…: If you dare to oppose or criticize me, you oppose my actions and possibly risk being silenced and labeled unpatriotic.
- Second message, join me: Align yourself with me, whether you agree with me or not, because I hold the political power and influence over you.
Fatima Bio’s use of this phrase shows that she is standing on the power of her position as First Lady to force her agenda on Sierra Leoneans. An agenda that could destabilize the country. She is demanding loyalty, not seeking justice, and her movement is rooted in personal ambition, not national interest.
Fatima Bio is also involved in a massive corruption scandal, as international investigative reporters have recently revealed her ownership of several luxury mansions in the Gambia.
So, her crusade is not about justice for Koidu workers; it’s deflection, manipulation, and a calculated tactic to create a smoke screen around her corruption allegations, to secure political dominance in Kono by weaponizing the workers’ grievances and unrest.
Fallout of Fatima Bio’s Interference
Koidu Holdings shut down its operations, laying off nearly 1,000 national workers. This abrupt closure not only resulted in immediate job losses but also threatens the long-term economic stability of Kono district.
The company sent a letter dated May 6, 2025, informing Fatima Bio of its intention to sue her for interfering in the dispute and demanding $20 million as a condition of resumed operations. In response, on May 13, 2025, Fatima Bio issued her legal threats, demanding $50 million from the company within 7 days.
As Sierra Leoneans eagerly await the outcome of this unprecedented legal confrontation between the country’s First Lady and her husband’s led government’s “investment partner,” Fatima Bio has launched a carefully choreographed campaign, not to resolve the workers’ issue, but to rally public sympathy for herself and position herself as the lone champion of the Koidu workers and Kono people.
The Truth Behind the Façade
Rather than taking accountability for the dire consequences of her actions that led to the workers losing their jobs, the economic shock it brings to Kono district, and the tensions boiling in the community, Fatima Bio appears to have chosen the path of manipulation to incite unrest.
Unable to rally widespread national support, she has turned her focus to the people of Kono, her husband’s political stronghold. Using manipulative tactics to confuse and co-opt the affected workers, she has positioned herself as the only hope for them through calculated public appearances, private mobilizations, and emotional appeals.
Recently, the streets of Koidu have seen choreographed demonstrations led by the wives of the laid-off workers. Their chants condemn the government and the mining company, yet praise Fatima Bio, calling her their savior.
Let us be clear: Fatima Bio holds no official position or expert authority in labor negotiations. She is not a union leader, government negotiator, or representative of the workers. But she has convinced some vulnerable people that only she can deliver justice for the workers. This is not advocacy. This is political opportunism.
Silence of the Presidency
Julius Bio and his government’s silence on the issue has left Fatima Bio’s interference unabated and unchecked. Julius Bio remains silent as his wife grows noisier and more aggressive in her rhetoric. Neither he nor any senior official in his government has made a public statement on the matter. Not even after the chiefs in Kono recently voiced growing concern with heightened tensions and political provocations on the rise. Kono leaders fear that the situation may spiral into violence.
This deafening silence of Julius Bio and his government is troubling. It suggests either tacit approval of his wife’s behavior or complete abdication of leadership to her, both of which have dangerous consequences for governance and national stability.
Wake Up, Sierra Leoneans!
Sierra Leone cannot afford to be dragged into another crisis fueled by personal ambition masquerading as public service. Let’s remember that Foday Sankoh, the leader of the decade-long bloodbath in Sierra Leone, used similar tactics, exploiting the people’s grievances. As the saying goes, “the rest is a bloody war history.
The stakes are too high, and the costs are too devastating. It is time for Sierra Leoneans to speak up, not in blind support of a personality like Fatima Bio, but in defense of peace, due process, and the rule of law in the country. Fatima Bio may be building her brand as a people’s advocate, but her actions show a different truth; she is exploiting the suffering of others to strengthen her political grip.
The consequence of her interference is already felt in Koidu; lost jobs, rising tensions, and a divided community. If we do not push back now, the consequences will not stop in Kono. They will spread across regions, across sectors, across the nation.
Fatima Bio’s message, Judge me or join me, does not call for unity or justice. Our commitment to unity and justice must remain unwavering in the face of such rhetoric that is a thinly veiled threat: stand with me or be cast aside as unpatriotic.
This is the rhetoric of authoritarianism, not democracy.
This was the rhetoric of Foday Sankoh.
MAMA SALONE ~ Lioness of the West Coast 