In a recent statement, Ambassador Gani Lawal, President of the Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria (AFRPN), addressed the backlash surrounding Nigeria’s decision to offer temporary asylum to former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bai Koroma, accused of treason.
Lawal emphasized the distinction between the charges against Koroma and Nigeria’s stance on coups in the West African region.
Lawal asserted, “They are two different issues. One is about the trumped-up charge, which has not been proved, while the other is a substantive issue of unconstitutional change of government.”
He further elaborated on the evolving stance of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) concerning coups, highlighting a shift toward allowing dialogue in addressing such crises.
Koroma, facing charges related to a foiled coup in Sierra Leone in November 2023, found refuge in Nigeria after diplomatic interventions by ECOWAS leaders, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and President Macky Sall of Senegal.
The asylum offer, criticized by many Nigerians, was conveyed in a letter with reference number ECW/PC/DC/2024-001/oat, dated January 2, signed by Omar Alieu Touray and addressed to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
The letter detailed Nigeria’s offer to host Koroma temporarily in Abuja, with the former president accepting the proposal.
Controversially, President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of ECOWAS, faced criticism for the decision, perceived as inconsistent with Nigeria’s past positions on coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The letter also outlined arrangements for Koroma’s departure from Sierra Leone, scheduled for January 4, 2024, accompanied by his office manager and personal assistant, pending approval from President Bio.
