Monrovia – A viral video showing Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Urban Affairs Fatima Bintu Sirleaf celebrating her confirmation by the Liberian Senate has generated national outrage, as it showed the minister hurling insults at perceived critics and opposition figures less than twenty-four hours after publicly apologizing for misleading lawmakers about her academic credentials during her confirmation hearing.
By Obediah Johnson
The President has reportedly been briefed about her behavior and is said to be planning a sit-down with her on the matter, while some senators, unhappy with her conduct, are reevaluating their controversial decision to confirm her.
The video shows Madam Sirleaf laughing with friends and saying, “Joseph Boakai ownseh daughter — where’s Kumba? Kumba, bring your a*s here. I never went to law school and slept with Professor for grades. We will bring the text message. Kabina Janeh, da my uncle, you know about it? He was law professor. If Joseph Boakai say I mon not talk, I will not talk. My silent did not mean I am scarce of you with your small, small chicken legs. Sleeping with men in law school for grades — it must end today. You cuss Joseph Boakai, but you don’t want hear your own of people name.”
Observers said the statements went beyond personal celebration and amounted to bullying and ethnic provocation, as she also mocked Liberians from other tribes, stating, “You know what makes Mandingo people different, our parents can get married before they have us; they don’t fornicate. No abortion, no nothing,” raising concerns about the weaponization of tribal identity in public discourse.
Her remarks appeared to target opposition figures, some of whom she has had an ongoing public feud on social media, while also revisiting her earlier controversial use of the Vai word “jamakpayeh” against the Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Alexander Cummings, which she had explained during the confirmation hearing as meaning “dried leaves,” referring to the Liberian herb kojologbo, though the statement had previously been used to demean the opposition leader.
Senator Edwin Snowe, who had warned Madam Sirleaf against insulting opposition members, said, “Today we have people in the executive who keep either insulting people in the public space they see as opposition or members of the Legislature. For every time somebody does it, they have some kind of connection with the Legislature, and it will go around, and maybe one day it will enter into the Pro Temp’s office. I don’t know you, Fatima Sirleaf, to be that kind of person, and I was taken aback and disappointed when I saw that. I have nothing personal against you; I’m happy you have made the correction on your resume, but I’m still not satisfied with your ‘jamakpayeh’ statement. I am just saying this as a caveat to the Senate.”
Senator Snowe warned that disrespect from members of the executive could spill into legislative relations, but within a day of her confirmation, his warning was ignored, as evidenced by the viral video, which contradicted the apology she offered during her second appearance before the Senate when she said, “Should I have in any time inadvertently disrespected anyone, I extend my deepest apologies.”
Liberians have reacted with anger, frustration, and disappointment. Aljerome Roosevelt said, “The Senate Wing at the Liberia Parliament is certainly in the toilet. A woman kissed the Holy Bible and lied under oath, you still went ahead and confirmed her. No moral at the Liberian Senate, period.” Varney Adolphus Sirleaf criticized what he described as “loyalty syndrome,” stating, “If Darlington wasn’t confirmed during the CDC administration, Bintu Sirleaf’s inability to defend her credentials is no different. This loyalty syndrome has to stop. This is the reason why you find people defending incompetence because they too want power. It’s sad to see Liberians congratulating her for going to rehearse and come back for the confirmation. She is not fit for the office; those she’s appointed to lead won’t accord her any respect.”
Vick Wutoh highlighted her demeaning of academic achievements, saying, “I just watched Fatima’s trending video. Honestly, the cursing doesn’t shock me because our society has normalized insults, especially on social media. My attention is drawn to the ‘sex for grades’ issue she mentioned happening at the law school. Fatima Bintu Sirleaf is devaluing her friend’s hard-earned academic achievement, and it’s not even funny, cause her allegations are grave, talking about text messages in phone.” Lasana Kanneh pointed out hypocrisy among critics, saying, “Liberia is an interesting place sometimes. A few weeks ago, Minister Fatima Bintu Sirleaf was heavily criticized and dragged on this platform for days. Many of the same voices now speaking up stayed silent then. She never responded to the attacks, never insulted anyone, and kept her composure throughout. After her confirmation was approved, she simply celebrated a personal victory with friends. Now people are upset about how she celebrated, yet most said nothing when she was being bullied. That’s what feels inconsistent. Fatima is not perfect; no one is. But those who know her personally will tell you she’s genuinely humble, respectful, warm, and kind-hearted.”
Assistant Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saywhar’s Nana Gbaa, said, “We need to petition the Legislature to call out the Law Professor who released text messages of Kumba he has slept with for grades. We can’t allow the Law School we want to go to be ridiculed. This is absurd.” Amb. R. Van Ross added, “Bullying and Crosswords not get rules. Some people bullied Fatima. Fatima is also responding in her style and manners.”
Political analysts have faulted the Senate for not exercising due diligence and upholding the law when confirming Madam Sirleaf, arguing that her conduct illustrates the consequences of rubber-stamping political appointments without rigorous scrutiny. It remains unclear whether President Joseph Boakai will take any disciplinary action, though some senators are reportedly considering a vote of no confidence for her alleged unruly behavior.
In her letter of apology after the viral video, Madam Sirleaf wrote, “My dear Friends and Facebook Family, I have received messages of concern and disappointment from many of you after you viewed the video currently circulating on social media following my confirmation by the Liberian Senate. I must admit that even before you reached out, it did not take very long for me to acknowledge that my actions in the video reflected poor decision making at the time. I take full responsibility for my expressions in the moment. They reflected a mix of emotions ranging from joy at the good news and relief that the wait was over, and finally, anger at some of the stressful interactions that had come along with this process. I truly acknowledge that those remarks should not and do not reflect my core values, the standards of our President, or my respect for women in various capacities. Regardless of any disagreement or tension, I know that it is wrong of me for my language or actions to demean another person, and for this I am sorry. I offer my sincere and unconditional apology to anyone I offended by my words or actions. I regret any discomfort or harm caused, and I remain committed to professionalism, mutual respect, and constructive engagement in all future public and private interactions. In my role as a public servant, my focus will remain on serving the Liberian people, strengthening our governance processes, and ensuring that our public discourse reflects the principles of respect and collaboration that are essential to national progress.”
The President is now expected to determine whether her conduct aligns with the values his administration seeks to uphold, and the Senate faces a choice about how to respond to the growing public outcry over her statements and actions. Liberia watches closely to see whether its leadership will defend accountability and integrity, or allow political expediency to override national standards.
