‘Cocoa Ros’ Damages SLPP
In a bold and emotional revelation, Sierra Leone’s First Lady has openly criticized members of her own party, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), accusing them of initiating and promoting the controversial “Coco Ros” chant — a song that has sparked both political satire and public scrutiny.
In a video statement that has since circulated widely on social media, the First Lady recounted how the chant, which has now become a recurring element in political spaces, was first introduced during the SLPP’s delegates’ conference held at the prestigious Bintumani Conference Center.
According to her, the former SLPP Chairman, Dr. Alex Prince Harding, was the one who first introduced the song during the party’s internal gathering.
“The song didn’t start with the opposition,” the First Lady claimed. “It was Dr. Alex Prince Harding who first brought it into the party — right there at Bintumani.”
Her statement takes a sharp turn as she expresses disappointment and a sense of betrayal, revealing that during the recent State Opening of Parliament, it was again SLPP parliamentarians who led the chant — even before the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) MPs joined in.
“They sang it first in Parliament,” she continued, “those SLPP MPs who I believed should have stood by me… they were the ones who picked it up before the APC even started.”
The “Coco Ros” song has become symbolic of the growing tension and factionalism within Sierra Leone’s political circles, but the First Lady’s remarks suggest that the discord may run deeper within the ruling party itself. Her public statement is widely seen as a direct rebuke not just of the opposition; but of elements within the SLPP — signaling fractures and discontent that could have deeper implications.
This development has sent ripples through Sierra Leone’s political landscape, as citizens and analysts alike question the internal dynamics of the ruling party and the treatment of prominent figures like the First Lady.
Observers note that the First Lady’s decision to go public with such accusations is highly unusual and may reflect escalating tensions behind the scenes. It also raises questions about the state of party unity, discipline, and respect for leadership figures, especially in the context of rising public dissatisfaction and economic challenges.
As political observers await responses from Dr. Prince Harding and other SLPP MPs implicated in the matter, one thing is clear: what started as a political chant has now become a lightning rod for internal controversy — and the reverberations may echo well beyond Bintumani and Parliament.
