The Sierra Leonean government has discontinued treason charges against former President Ernest Bai Koroma over his alleged involvement in the failed 2023 coup attempt, clearing the way for his return to the country.
The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice announced on Tuesday that it had filed a notice to discontinue the criminal proceedings against Koroma, who served as president from 2007 to 2018.
Koroma was charged in January 2024 with treason and other offences linked to the alleged coup attempt. He travelled to Nigeria later that month after receiving court approval to seek medical treatment for up to three months, but remained outside Sierra Leone beyond the approved period.
According to the statement, the former president is now free to return to Sierra Leone upon completion of his medical treatment or at any time of his choosing.
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The government did not provide reasons for dropping the charges, although political observers say the move may be aimed at fostering national unity and reconciliation.
The charges stemmed from coordinated attacks in November 2023 when armed men stormed a military armoury, two military barracks, two prisons and two police stations, triggering clashes with security forces.
Authorities said 21 people were killed during the violence, while hundreds of inmates escaped before security forces regained control. The government described the incident as an attempted coup involving members of the armed forces.
More than 80 suspects, most of them military personnel, were arrested in connection with the attacks.
