Sierra Leone's government has announced the formal discontinuation of all charges, including treason, against former President Ernest Bai Koroma. The move, confirmed by Information Minister Chernor Bah, comes almost three years after Koroma's arrest in connection with an attempted coup in November 2023. The 72-year-old former leader has consistently denied any involvement in the incident.
Minister Bah stated that the decision to drop the charges was made on health grounds. This development means that Koroma is now free to return to Sierra Leone from Nigeria, where he had been living in exile to seek medical attention. His departure to Nigeria was part of a deal brokered by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, following his initial charging and placement under house arrest.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Koroma expressed his gratitude for the outcome, remarking on his "enduring conviction that peace, justice and reconciliation must always triumph over adversity." He also extended thanks to current Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, and ECOWAS for their support throughout the process.
The attempted coup in November 2023 saw armed individuals break into a military armoury and several prisons, leading to the escape of nearly 2,000 inmates. The uprising resulted in approximately 20 fatalities and occurred just five months after a contentious election that saw President Bio narrowly re-elected for a second term. The results of that election were disputed by Koroma's All People's Congress and drew criticism from international observers over a perceived lack of transparency in the vote count.
While Koroma's case has been discontinued, the legal consequences for others involved in the 2023 events have already been determined. In 2024, eleven civilians and 24 soldiers were found guilty of participation in the coup attempt and subsequently received lengthy prison sentences. This latest decision regarding the former president marks a significant step in the aftermath of the political instability that gripped the West African nation.