Former Opposition Leader Sparks Controversy Over Presidential Travels
- Guest Writer
- Oct 19
- 2 min read
Former opposition leader Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray has ignited a public debate by criticizing President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio for what he terms "reckless spending" on a series of costly international travels. His comments, widely circulated on social media, have brought the issue of high-level foreign trips into sharp focus.
The President and First Lady are currently on separate international engagements. First Lady Fatima Bio departed Freetown today, October 17, for Istanbul, Turkey. She is scheduled to attend the International Forum on Climate Change and Zero Waste, an event running from October 17 to 19, organized by the Zero Waste Foundation in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Environment.
The First Lady publicly confirmed her attendance, stating online that she is participating in her capacity as an Eminent Member of the United Nations Zero Waste Advisory Board.
Earlier this week, President Maada Bio traveled to Rome, Italy, for the Aqaba Process Africa Summit, a high-stakes meeting centered on regional security and diplomacy. His presence underscores the government’s continued involvement in international statecraft.
Kamarainba’s critique reflects a growing public sentiment questioning the necessity, timing, and frequency of these foreign excursions. While the financial costs of these travels have not been officially disclosed, public pressure is mounting for greater transparency and accountability regarding the use of state funds for such purposes.
As the public discourse intensifies, neither the Office of the President nor the First Lady’s team has issued an official statement in response to the controversy surrounding their recent trips, thought the Minister of Information has vehemently defended the trips as the benefits far outweighing the expenditures incurred.
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