S' LEONE FIRST LADY: BIG BRO RULES OUR MINERALS

On 27 April 1961, Sierra Leone proudly raised its green, white and blue flag, declaring independence from British colonial rule. As the nation celebrates 64 years of sovereignty, voices like that of First Lady Fatima Maada Bio remind us that the fight for true independence is far from over.

Bio has tried to engage with the pressing issues facing her nation. In this video, she cautions against the pervasive influence of external powers - or Big Brother, as she brands them.

The reality is stark: every mining enterprise in Sierra Leone is under foreign ownership. Even after gaining independence from British colonialism, the UK continues to manage the nation’s electricity supply.

What pathways lie ahead? Bio says that any attempt to disrupt the existing power dynamics invites external funding for opposition movements, leading to instability and chaos. This turmoil renders governance nearly impossible. Yet, she also says that the status quo cannot persist. After all, if a nation cannot secure its own energy resources, how can it hope to empower and educate its citizens?

But let’s focus on freedom from British rule today. Happy Independence Day to all Sierra Leoneans - at home and around the world.

Video Credit: Havard T.H. (YouTube)

Sources

https://rootstoglory.com/happy-independence-day-sierra-leone-april-27-1961/?utm_sourc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMuk82iVUxw&t=2s