Sierra Leone on Wednesday charged former president Ernest Bai Koroma with treason and other offences for his alleged role in what authorities have called an attempted coup on November 26.
Ernest Bai Koroma, who served as the president of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, has been a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape. His presidency was marked by efforts to rebuild the nation after a devastating civil war. However, the recent charges have cast a shadow over his legacy, raising questions about the stability of Sierra Leone’s political climate.
The former president is charged with four offences, including treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring
The charges against Ernest Bai Koroma are grave, with treason being the most severe. Treason is a crime against the state, and if convicted, it carries severe penalties, including the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence or even capital punishment. Misprision of treason, a charge related to concealing treasonous activities, further complicates the legal landscape for the former president.
Harbouring charges, indicating that Koroma may have sheltered individuals involved in the alleged coup, add another layer of complexity to the case. The legal proceedings are expected to be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as they have significant implications for Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions and the rule of law.
“The former president is charged with four offences, including treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring,” a statement signed by Information Minister Chernor Bah said.
Sierra Leone on Tuesday charged 12 people with treason in connection with the coup attempt, including Amadu Koita, a former soldier and bodyguard of Koroma.
Koita was widely followed on social networks where he criticised the government of current President Julius Maada Bio.
On November 26, armed attackers stormed a military armoury, 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.
The violence sparked fears of another coup in West Africa, where Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea have all experienced putsches since 2020.
As Sierra Leone grapples with the aftermath of the alleged coup attempt and the charges against Ernest Bai Koroma, the nation stands at a crossroads. The legal proceedings will undoubtedly shape the future of Sierra Leone’s political landscape and its standing on the global stage. As the case unfolds, the world watches, waiting to see how this chapter in Sierra Leone’s history will impact its democratic institutions and the rule of law.
