Sierra Leone’s former President, Ernest Bai Koroma, is facing charges of treason in connection with a thwarted military uprising that aimed to overthrow the government of the West African nation in November. The announcement came from a Freetown court on Wednesday.
On November 26, armed assailants launched an assault on military barracks, a prison, and various locations across Sierra Leone. The audacious attack resulted in the release of approximately 2,200 inmates and the tragic loss of over 20 lives.
Authorities revealed that the orchestrated attempt was a failed coup primarily orchestrated by Koroma’s own bodyguards. In early December, the ex-president was summoned for questioning in relation to the incident.
Standing in the dock, the former president heard the charges against him, with some of his supporters visibly moved to tears within the courtroom.
