The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has negotiated the exile of the former president of Sierra Leone, Mr Ernest Koroma, to Nigeria following his indictment in the November 26, 2023, failed coup in that country.
ECOWAS commission president, Mr Omar Touray, disclosed this in a statement released yesterday. Recall that on November 26, armed attackers invaded two military bases, two barracks, two prisons and two police stations, clashing with security forces.
Twenty-one people were killed, and hundreds of prisoners escaped before authorities were able to regain control after what they deemed a coup attempt by members of the armed forces. At least 80 people were arrested in connection with the clashes, most of them military personnel.
Authorities said in early December that the former president had been confined to his home, amid questioning. Koroma, who was president from 2007 to 2018, had previously been questioned, with authorities saying he was an official suspect in the organisation of the coup attempt.
“The former president is charged with four offences, including treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring,” a statement signed by the minister of information, Mr Chernor Bah had said.
Touray said in the statement that Koroma’s relocation to Nigeria was part of the agreement reached by the mission to Freetown on December 23, 2023, of the high-level ECOWAS delegation led the Ghanaian president, Mr Nana Akufo-Addo and his Senegalese colleague, Mr Macky Sail.
The ECOWAS commission chief also disclosed that Koroma had accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria, and subject to approval, arrangements would be made to fly former President Koroma out of Freetown on Thursday (today).
The statement reads: “I refer to the mission to Freetown on 23 December of the high-level ECOWAS delegation led by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, and His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal.
“I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that as part of the agreement reached during the mission, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has offered to host His Excellency Ernest Bal Koroma, Former President of Sierra Leone, in Abuja on a temporary basis.
“The former President has accepted the offer to be hosted In Nigeria. Subject to your approval, arrangements will be made to fly former President Koroma out of Freetown on Thursday 4 January 2024.
“He will be accompanied by his office manager and personal assistant. In addition to seeking Your Excellency’s approval for the departure from Sierra Leone of the former President on or around the date indicated above, I would like to seek your confirmation that once President Koroma leaves Sierra Leone, the following arrangements (as agreed during the mission) will be put in place:
“The government of Sierra Leone will discontinue all legal and administrative procedures against him. The government of Sierra Leone will also continue to disburse to him his benefits as former President.
“The government of Sierra Leone will secure his residences in the various locations in Sierra Leone. The Government of Sierra Leone will consider refunding medical and travel expenses he has incurred.
“While looking forward to Your Excellency’s favourable response, I take this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.”
