SLPP Elder’s Council Begins Reconciliation Efforts Amid Tensions Between First Lady and Dr. Prince Alex Harding
Kadijatu Barrie The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has embarked on peace and reconciliation talks, led by the party’s Elder Council, to address escalating tensions stemming from recent parliamentary events.
According to Moses Mambu, the National Publicity Secretary of the SLPP, this initiative includes a thorough investigation into concerns raised by First Lady Dr. Fatima Bio regarding the “Cocoa Ros” chant directed at her during the state opening ceremony at Parliament.
The internal reconciliation process has involved national officers and the Council of Elders, who have separately met with both First Lady Fatima Bio and Dr. Prince Alex Harding. The tensions escalated during the final day of the Party’s internal elections and the President’s parliamentary address, culminating in heckling aimed at the First Lady.
The First Lady and her supporters had taken to social media to call out Dr. Prince Alex Harding, the Former Chairman of the SLPP, as the orchestrator of the chants, which were viewed as crossing the line of acceptable parliamentary behavior. The ensuing debate has been divisive, with many condemning the act as disgraceful and potentially damaging to the country’s international image.
These discussions follow a public altercation between the two prominent SLPP figures, who have accused each other of meddling and inciting discord within party activities. The disagreements reportedly originated during campaigns for elective positions within the SLPP, allegedly marred by personal attacks. The ongoing reconciliation efforts aim to restore unity within the party and reinforce its values of dialogue and mutual respect.