Former President of Sierra Leone Charged with Treason Following Alleged Coup Attempt

Sierra Leone's former president, Ernest Bai Koroma, has been charged with treason and other offences following his alleged role in what authorities have described as an attempted coup on November 26. Koroma, who governed the West African nation from 2007 to 2018, was previously interrogated, and officials have identified him as a primary suspect in the planning of the coup. The charges against Koroma include treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring, as stated by Information Minister Chernor Bah. The November 26 coup attempt involved armed assailants seizing a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons, and two police stations, resulting in violent clashes with security forces. During the incident, 21 people lost their lives, and numerous prisoners escaped before authorities were able to restore order. At least 80 individuals, mostly military personnel, were apprehended in connection with the clashes. In early December, officials imposed house arrest on the former president while conducting an investigation into the matter. His lawyer, Ady Macauley, disclosed that the case has been adjourned until January 17. A significant security presence was observed near the courthouse in the capital, Freetown, during Koroma's hearing. Additionally, on Tuesday, Sierra Leone charged 12 individuals with treason in connection to the coup attempt, including Amadu Koita, a former soldier and Koroma's ex-bodyguard. Koita had garnered a substantial following on social media due to his criticism of the current government. Prior to the announcement of the charges, an advisor to Koroma indicated that the former president was exploring the possibility of seeking exile in Nigeria, which holds the presidency of regional bloc ECOWAS. In response to the coup attempt, an ECOWAS delegation, headed by the leaders of Senegal and Ghana, visited Sierra Leone to lay the groundwork for a 'security mission' aimed at stabilizing the country. It is important to note that the mission does not entail a military intervention, and similar forces have been deployed to other African nations, including Gambia and Guinea Bissau. The violence in Sierra Leone at the end of November raised concerns about the potential for further coups in West Africa, which has witnessed a number of such incidents in recent years, including in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea.