By Sayoh Kamara
First Ladies often wield significant influence in their respective countries, shaping policies, advocating for social causes, and sometimes attracting controversies. They can in some circumstances, even attempt to enter the brawl of mainstream politics giving the amount of influence their office carry.
In my admiration of Fatima Jabbie-Bio for standing by her husband during his Presidency amidst an avalanche of controversies, I am tempted to draw a comparison between her and another African First Lady, Grace Mugabe who also made headlines in her country because of the amount of influence she wielded in her native Zimbabwe when she suddenly emerged as First Lady following the death of the previous holder of that coveted position.
Although Grace’s era in Zimbabwe elapsed 2017 and has since been silenced by her country’s dominant political party, the emergence of Fatima Jabbie-Bio a year afterwards and seven years on, gives a clear reminiscence of the scenarios created by Grace Mugagbe when her late husband Robert Mugabe was the Alpha and Omega of Zimbabwean politics.
By the look of things and the trend of her political show offs characterized by her frank and sometimes bitterly controversial political statements and rhetoric, Lady Fatima Jabbie-Bio seems to share in, with what made Grace Mugabe that much powerful and influential in the politics of a country that is systemic on revolutionary ideologies and anti-neo-colonialist sentimentalism.
Fatima Jabbie-Bio’s situation might be different because the status quo as it were in Zimbabwe is not out rightly manifested in Sierra Leone, even though there still appears a high level of misogyny regarding party leaderships and the Presidency of Sierra Leone. But Madam Fatima’s own episodes being recent and unfolding, cannot be overlooked on consideration that she is merely safeguarding her husband’s leadership of the SLPP and his Presidency. Grace actions aided by the significant influence she was able to muster within the ZANU-PF can closely be aligned with what Lady Fatima is ruggedly engaged in but with a cautionary bird’s view as to possibilities and impossibilities of whatever she might be nurturing; be it for herself coming up, or in support of someone else. Unlike Grace, Fatima’s hidden agenda can still live on as long as her husband is alive and kicking and that is a possibility. With three years to go of her husband’s Presidency, who knows what will happen; Fatima’s episodes and chapters still continue. This analysis therefore is a juxtaposition of what an African First Lady can do especially when she appears to have the blessings of her husband as President and Leader of a political party in power.
Fatima Jabbie-Bio of Sierra Leone and former First Lady Grace Mugabe of Zimbabwe are notable First Ladies; they have stood out for their roles in politics, philanthropy, and public life. Despite differences in backgrounds and leadership styles, they share common themes in their influence and impact. This article explores these common themes and possible differences in terms of background, political influence, political application, social contributions, and controversies. A cursory look at the backgrounds will draw a similarity that can make a conclusive judgment as to who is who. Please read on:
Grace Mugabe
Born in South Africa, Grace Mugabe became Zimbabwe’s First Lady in 1996 after marrying then-President Robert Mugabe. Originally a secretary in the President’s office, she transitioned into the role of First Lady following her husband’s first wife’s death. Over time, she gained a reputation for her extravagant lifestyle and political ambitions. She was gorgeous and beautiful and had an expensive taste for fashion, jewelry and luxury properties for which she was provokingly referred to as “Gucci Grace”.
Her Political Ascent and Influence:
For many years, Grace was quiet and was primarily focused on charitable activities through her Grace Mugabe Foundation, but as her husband grew older, and his grip on power appearing to be weakened, Grace momentarily became politically ambitious. By the mid-2010s, she had become an influential member of the ZANU-PF, using her position to consolidate power. She led the party’s Women League which gave her significant influence over party structures, motivating her to spearhead the sidelining of political rivals, most notably, the then Vice President, Joice Mujuru, whom she successfully pushed out of power in 2014.
The “G40” Alignment and the Road to Mugabe’s Ouster:
Grace Mugabe went on to align herself with the “G40” faction-a group of young ZANU-PF politicians who were seeking to position her as Robert Mugabe’s successor. It was this move that put her at odds with Emmerson Mnangagwa, the long-time ally of Mugabe and Vice President of Zimbabwe.
Grace’s most controversial political move came in 2017 when she openly campaigned for Mnangagwa’s removal, accusing him of disloyalty and plotting against her husband. This move unfortunately backfired, as Mnangagwa, backed by the military, which was mainly of veteran freedom fighters, staged a political comeback leading to a military intervention in November 2017 that consequently forced Robert Mugabe to resign. With her husband’s resignation, Grace’s political ambition was crushed; the “G40” faction was dismantled, and many of its key members fled the country.
Post Power life and Controversies:
Grace Mugabe largely retreated from public life in the circumstances, and thereafter she was faced with multiple legal challenges, including disputes over land ownership and allegations of corruption linked to her business dealings. She also continued to attract international scrutiny particularly after being accused of assaulting a model in South Africa in 2017-a case that sparked diplomatic tension between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Grace Mugabe’s additional controversies include scandals of ivory smuggling, allegation of her Grace Mugabe Orphanage in Mazowe being a site of child sexual abuses involving students and orphans that were covered up; and multiple assault cases.
Grace Mugabe’s tenure as First Lady was marked by opulence, scandals, and accusations of corruption. She was known for lavish spending and violent altercations. Her attempt to position herself as her husband’s successor contributed to the military coup that ended Mugabe’s rule.
Legacies and Impact:
Grace Mugabe remains one of Zimbabwe’s most divisive figures. To her supporters, she was a bold and ambitious woman who fought for political power in a male-dominated system. To her critics, she epitomized corruption, extravagance and the excesses of Zimbabwe’s ruling elite. Her role in Zimbabwean politics highlights the complex nature of power and succession in authoritarian regimes, serving as a cautionary tale of how unchecked ambition and political maneuvering can lead to dramatic rises; and equally, dramatic falls.
Fatima Jabbie-Bio:
Fatima Jabbie-Bio, born in Koidu in Kono District, eastern Sierra Leone, is a former actress and filmmaker with a strong media presence before becoming the First Lady of Sierra Leone in 2018, following her husband Julius Maada Bio’s election as President. Her career in the entertainment industry, particularly in Nollywood, provided her with visibility and communication skills that she later leveraged in her political and social advocacy.
Fatima Jabbie-Bio: Political Influence and Public Image:
Fatima Jabbie-Bio has positioned herself as an advocate for women’s and children’s rights, launching the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign to combat gender-based violence and child marriage in Sierra Leone. She plays an active role in policy discussions and is seen as an influential figure in her husband’s administration, though she has not pursued direct political office.
Fatima was instrumental in grassroots mobilization and engaging women to support her husband’s campaign during the 2018 elections. She sought to empower women beyond the traditional roles of cheering and cooking for male politicians, encouraging them to actively participate in political discourse and decision-making processes. She was also instrumental in the formation of the Julius Maada Bio Women’s Wing, otherwise known as “Maada Babes” within the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) as a counterpart women’s wing to the party’s official Women’s Wing which by then appeared to be politically aligned against the aspiration of her husband. This “Maada Babes” at a point happened to be a major financier of her husband’s campaign and a trusted support group of her husband. She also is a strong contributor to the enhancement of SLPP presence and strengthening in the country. In 2024 she donated 1, 000 bags of cement to support the construction a new SLPP office in Pujehun in the south of the country and while she does not support gender quotas, she however strongly advocates for increased women’s representation in governance, hinged on her belief that women should not be limited by quotas but should be encouraged to take leadership roles based on merit and capability.
The “Hand Off Our Girls” campaign, considered as the foremost of her initiatives aimed at combating sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage and teenage pregnancy, led to substantial policy changes including the establishment of a specialized sexual offenses court in the country.
Fatima’s bold step to solicit funds aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure, notably the upgrading and expansion of the 34 Military Hospital from 70 to 600 beds is phenomenal, added to which is her voluntary championing of the menstrual health awareness among school girls and adolescent girls marked by her free distribution of sanitary pads to school girls in order to keep them in school.
Fatima’s works have earned her local and international recognitions. In 2003, she was appointed UNAIDS Champion for Adolescent Girls and Young Women, further strengthening her influence in global advocacy for gender equality and healthcare improvements.
In October 2024, she was awarded by the Kono Heritage Foundation and earlier in December 2022, the Kono Conference awarded her in recognition of the pride she has brought to Kono as First Lady and as recent as in February 2025, she was elected as President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).
Fatima Jabbie-Bio: Controversies and Criticisms:
While she has maintained a largely positive public image, Fatima Jabbie-Bio has faced some criticisms for her outspoken nature and involvement in political matters, with some accusing her of overstepping her role as First Lady.
In her outright call for support of her husband and the SLPP party, she was criticized for branding non SLPP members as “not true Sierra Leoneans” in view of her consideration of those opposed to her husband’s policies. She was accused of influencing the diversion of funds notably from the Ministry of Gender to fund the Office of First Lady, a non-statutory entity to the tune of Le fifteen Billion approximately, USD 1.5 Million between 2018and 2019 to fund her “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign, which reports suggested at the time that these disbursements were made without proper accountability, thus overshadowing the Gender Ministry’s role.
She is also criticized by mainly SLPP supporters for engaging in a head-on conflict of interest with the current Chief Minister that has resulted in unpalatable and indecent exchanges between her and smokescreen supporters of the Chief Minister, mainly on social media. This head-on conflict reached its crescendo recently (March 2025) when she called out at a workers’ protest in her native Kono District that “Dogs” are in her husband’s government and are undermining his policies by accepting brown envelops from mining and corporate institutions. Her recent appeal for the release and discharge from court of TV Reality Star, Hawa Hunt who was charged with cyber-bullying of the First Lady and the President under the Cyber Security Act and her previous appeal for the release of Music Star, LAJ are criticized as acts of politicization of the judiciary and a direct interference by the Executive in the independence of the judiciary. She maintained in her appeals on both grounds were on humanitarians and compassionate reasons as a mother.
Conclusion
While Fatima Jabbie-Bio and Grace Mugabe both played influential roles as First Ladies, their paths and legacies could differ significantly. Grace Mugabe’s political ambitions and scandals tainted her reputation. Fatima Jabbie-Bio, though still active and also placated in a number of controversies, she has carved a niche in humanitarian and gender advocacy, positioning herself as a modern First Lady with a focus on social change. Whatever may be a cause for her change from this trajectory to engage full-time with the political dynamics of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), can be a continuation of her life’s episodes and chapters.
Their stories highlight the complex roles that First Ladies can play-ranging from political kingmakers to champions of the marginalized, or, in some cases, controversial figures whose legacies can spark debates for generations.
Overall, Fatima Jabbie-Bio falls neatly in this categorization, but so far, she has leveraged her platform as First Lady to advocate for social change, enhance women’s political participation and support her husband’s administration through political mobilization and infrastructural contributions, support her husband’s administration by her frank talks especially regarding the power-play within the SLPP and perhaps, against her perceived threats to the chances of her husband selecting a successor. As her story continues and her positioned reinforced, her legacy which is sure a compendium of good and ugly episodes continues for what could either a blockbuster of theatricals that will either guarantee the continuity of a Maada Bio legacy or somewhat that could be a fallout that again cause a reminiscence of history of the end of the era of Robert Mugabe and “Gucci” Grace Mugabe in Zimbabwe.