Sierra Leone drops treason charge against ex-president over attempted coup

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Sierra Leone drops treason charge against ex-president over attempted coupImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ernest Bai Koroma was been living in exile in Nigeria since January 2024ByThomas NaadiBBC AfricaPublished16 minutes agoSierra Leone's government has dropped its charges against ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma, who was arrested in connection with an attempted coup nearly three years ago. In its statement, the government did not say why it had dismissed the charges, which included treason. The 72-year-old former president has always denied involvement in the November 2023 attempted coup when gunmen broke into a military armoury and several prisons, freeing almost 2,000 inmates.

Responding to his case being dropped, Koroma noted his "enduring conviction that peace, justice and reconciliation must always triumph over adversity". In his statement on Tuesday, Koroma also expressed gratitude towards Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and the West African regional bloc Ecowas for their support. After Koroma was charged and placed under house arrest, Ecowas brokered a deal with the government of Sierra Leone, allowing the former president to go into exile in Nigeria and seek medical attention there.

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He was now free to return to his home country, the office of Sierra Leone's attorney general said on Tuesday. Koroma led Sierra Leone for 11 years until 2018, when current President Bio was elected. Around 20 people were killed in the attempted coup, which came five months after a disputed election which saw President Bio narrowly re-elected for a second term.

The results were rejected by Koroma's All People's Congress. International observers also criticised the elections, highlighting a lack of transparency in the count. More stories from Sierra Leone:What may have sparked Sierra Leone's coup attempt Published28 November 2023The African fishermen who blame Chinese trawlers for their woes Published6 JulySierra Leone's iconic cotton tree felled by storm Published25 May 2023Go to BBCAfrica.

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The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.