In Sierra Leone, former president Ernest Bai Koroma indicted this Wednesday, January 3, for his alleged role in the events of November 26, events described by the government as an attempted coup d’état. That day, men had stormed a military armory and other installations. Fighting with security forces left 21 people dead. Sierra Leonean justice on Tuesday charged 12 people in this case.
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Ernest Bai Boroma was until then considered suspect. He had been questioned several times by the police. The former president, who ruled Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, was placed on December 9 under a regime akin to house arrest. This Wednesday, new stage: Ernest Bai Koroma was charged with 4 offenses including treason and concealment of treason, according to a government press release signed by the Minister of Information.
Charged therefore for his alleged role in the events of November 26. Events that the former president had “ vehemently condemned », deeming them “regrettable and tragic”.
In the early morning of November 26, men attacked a military armory, two barracks, two prisons and two police stations. Clashes with security forces caused the deaths of 21 people, including 14 soldiers and 3 attackers. 1,000 prisoners had escaped. Very quickly, the authorities described these events as an attempted coup d’état. At least 80 people, mostly soldiers, were subsequently arrested.
Before Ernest Bai Koroma’s indictment this Wednesday, 12 people had already been indicted the day before by the Sierra Leonean justice system for their alleged role in these events. Among them, Amadu Koita, a former bodyguard of the former president.
Read alsoSierra Leone: twelve people indicted after the “coup attempt” at the end of November