This month Sierra Leone is in the headlines – though, for disturbing reasons.
President Julius Maada Bio, and national authorities, have levied treason charges against his immediate predecessor, former President Ernest Bai Koroma, citing his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt on 26 November 2023.
During this incident, a group of disgruntled ex and current military personnel attacked the capital Freetown, resulting in the release of prisoners and the loss of eighteen military lives. Initially considered a security breach, the event was later labeled a failed coup against President Bio, leading to the discharge of scores of military officials and charges against Koroma and dozens of his alleged co-conspirators.
Despite the government's claim of an impartial investigation, critics, including former Attorney General Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, who is representing Koroma, argue that it is a political vendetta aimed at tarnishing Koroma's legacy and reputation. Opposition members, arrested on various charges in the past, were locked up for months only to be released a few months later when their charges were dropped. Hence, they – and many other Sierra Leoneans – view the treason accusation against Koroma as a continuation of such behavior.
The regional body ECOWAS has registered deep concern as well in light of the deteriorating security situation. After Koroma's house arrest, ECOWAS leaders – including President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Nana Akuffor Addo of Ghana – visited the country for talks with both President Bio and Koroma. Subsequently, ECOWAS dispatched a private letter – which was later leaked online – urging President Bio to advocate for the release of Koroma, to ensure his personal safety, and to pay his benefits as a former head of state. The letter also included information that Nigeria had agreed to host Koroma in the interim as a sort of negotiated exile.
In response, the current Bio government swiftly pronounced treason charges against Koroma, with Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Kabba stating that the ECOWAS demands had differed from the private discussions held between the three presidents. Kabba, in fact, affirmed that all involved in the attempted coup plot would be investigated regardless of their status or political affiliation. ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Allieu Omar Touray was then dispatched to Freetown for further closed-door talks with Bio and Koroma.
Scheduled to appear in court on 17 January, Koroma's lawyer appeared instead, requesting bail for the former president on medical grounds, which was swiftly granted. Hours later, a Nigerian presidential air force plane flew Koroma to Abuja, where he was received by an ECOWAS team.
As this unfolding drama grips Sierra Leone, citizens are understandably anxious about the potential impact on peace and stability in the country. Sierra Leone is already grappling with a tarnished image due to human rights violations and a history of highly contested elections. Concerned citizens and some civil society groups, especially those based in the diaspora, have implored the president to prioritize uniting the nation over engaging in battles with the opposition, his predecessor, and influential regional players like ECOWAS. "When elephants fight, the grass is always the victim. The president should prioritize peace and stability," said Aminata Conteh, a petty trader outside of Freetown.
It is noteworthy that government forces have been implicated in the deaths of dozens of those protesting or expressing dissent, with no accountability for these actions. Some security personnel also lost their lives in such incidents. These facts have indeed been captured by key international human rights reports, including by Amnesty International.
Activists, both domestic and international, have launched a petition against the Bio administration, seeking intervention and ultimate accountability for the numerous human rights violations that have been committed since 2018 in various parts of the country. The petition rapidly garnered over 1500 signatures in just a few days.
Former president Koroma’s treason trial has now been adjourned to March while he remains in Nigeria. President Bio has termed this move a ‘humanitarian gesture,’ asserting that the trial will resume upon the former president's return to Sierra Leone. However, there is speculation that ECOWAS may have influenced President Bio to accept the regional body's proposal to allow Koroma to relocate to Nigeria— in other words, to avoid further controversy. Perhaps this would be a smart move since the United States, European Union, and others have each criticized the current regime over the highly flawed conduct of the last presidential election.
Sierra Leone has faced significant challenges in its history, ranging from an 11-year civil war to deadly mudslides, the Ebola outbreak and most recently the impact of COVID-19. The citizens of Sierra Leone have always endured hardship. With the country now holding a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, there is a heightened expectation for the government to prioritize and uphold democratic rights. This commitment is crucial for the country to effectively advocate for peace on the international stage and to ensure it at home.
Alpha Kamara is a Sierra Leonean freelance journalist based in Washington D.C. Follow on Twitter: @AlphaKamara4