Fatima Maada Bio Breaks Silence on FGM Allegations, Fires Back with Five Tough Questions

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — First Lady Fatima Maada Bio has forcefully rejected allegations linking her to the promotion of female genital mutilation (FGM), accusing political opponents of orchestrating an international campaign to tarnish her reputation while calling for greater transparency in the national debate.

In a strongly worded statement, the First Lady claimed she had received information suggesting that the opposition All People's Congress (APC) and what she described as anti-FGM campaigners collaborated with sections of the British media to portray her as a pro-FGM advocate on the international stage.

According to Mrs. Bio, the alleged campaign failed because, she said, no one has been able to produce evidence of any programme or initiative she has led that promotes FGM. She further alleged that those behind the campaign have since shifted tactics by avoiding public criticism of her within Sierra Leone, believing such attacks could generate public sympathy and prove politically damaging.

The First Lady challenged both Sierra Leoneans and the international community with five key questions, including why Parliament has not passed legislation banning FGM, why lawmakers who opposed such legislation have not faced the same level of international criticism, and why she has become the focus of global attention over an issue she insists has never formed part of her official agenda.

She also questioned why the criticism directed at her has largely come from outside Sierra Leone rather than within the country, where she believes the public can assess the facts for themselves. Additionally, she called for greater scrutiny of individuals and organisations involved in anti-FGM advocacy, questioning whether some publicly oppose the practice while privately maintaining relationships with traditional Bondo leaders.

Mrs. Bio concluded by urging that public discussions on FGM be guided by facts, consistency, transparency, and accountability rather than what she described as selective outrage or politically motivated attacks.

Her remarks are expected to intensify public debate over FGM in Sierra Leone, where the issue remains one of the country's most sensitive social and political topics, attracting attention from lawmakers, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and international human rights groups.

Source: Statement by First Lady Fatima Maada Bio.