Freetown, Sierra Leone – Reliable government sources have confirmed that high-level discussions on the possible return of former President Ernest Bai Koroma from Nigeria are at an advanced stage, with parliamentary leaders from both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) actively driving the process.
A formal motion on the matter is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon, as part of the government’s broader renewed push for national peace, reconciliation, and cohesion following years of political tension.
Background on the Talks
Negotiations have reportedly included sensitive discussions on whether the criminal charges against Koroma, primarily four counts including treason related to the November 2023 attempted coup, should be dropped. These charges have been a central sticking point, with sources indicating they are key to the former president’s willingness to return home permanently.
Koroma, who served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018, left the country in January 2024 for medical treatment in Nigeria after a court granted him permission to travel abroad. He has been residing there since, amid speculation of a possible exile deal brokered with regional involvement.
The 72-year-old politician, born in Makeni in 1953, remains a highly influential figure within the APC. His administration oversaw significant post-civil war recovery efforts, infrastructure development, and democratic reforms, though it faced criticism over corruption allegations.
Parliamentary Focus
Attention is now firmly on Thursday’s parliamentary sitting, where lawmakers may begin formal debate on the issue. The outcome could represent one of the most significant political developments in Sierra Leone in recent years, potentially easing deep partisan divisions and helping stabilize the political climate ahead of future elections.
Political observers note that a successful return could bolster national unity efforts, while any resolution on the legal cases would set a precedent for handling high-profile political prosecutions in the country’s young democracy.
Source: Truth Media
