A Defining Moment in Sierra Leone’s Politics
By Issa Icon K. Kabba
I have been following, with great attention, the recent incident in Parliament involving our First Lady, and I must say, what unfolded was deeply troubling.
In politics, disagreements are inevitable. In fact, they are the lifeblood of any healthy democracy. But there is a fine line between constructive dissent and public humiliation. What we witnessed within the walls of Parliament crossed that line. It wasn’t just a political exchange, it was an unprovoked display of disrespect in one of the highest institutions of our land.
What makes it even more disheartening is seeing members of the SLPP, who should embody decorum and principle, fueling that display. This was not merely an attack on the First Lady; it was a blow to the culture of respect and civility that should unite us as Sierra Leoneans, regardless of our political leanings.
You may not like her, that is your right. But no one has the moral license to demean her. We will never all share the same political loyalties or personal affections, but the one thing that must remain sacred is mutual respect for our shared humanity.
Our First Lady, like any of us, is not without flaws. Yet, it is undeniable that she has brought energy, purpose, and prestige to her role. She has championed causes that have touched the lives of women and girls across Sierra Leone, initiatives whose true impact goes beyond what numbers and reports can capture. She has set a standard so high that her successor will have to work twice as hard to match it.
When we tear down those who are working to lift others, we do not simply tarnish their image, we diminish our own. In moments like these, we are reminded that the measure of our politics is not only in the battles we win, but in the dignity we preserve.
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