THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it would relocate former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bal Koroma, to Nigeria on Thursday, January 4 for safety.
This was disclosed by the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, in a letter dated Tuesday, January 2, released on Wednesday, January 3.
Koroma was indicted in the failed coup of November 26, last year, when armed attackers stormed a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons and two Police stations and clashed with security forces.
During the upheaval, 21 people were killed and hundreds of prisoners escaped before authorities regained control of the situation, sparking fears of another coup in West Africa, after Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea have experienced overthrow of civilian governments since 2020.
According to Touray, Koroma’s relocation was part of the agreement reached last year by the high-level ECOWAS delegation, led Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to Freetown on December 23 , last year.
The statement also disclosed that the former President had accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria, and subject to approval, arrangements would be made to fly him out of Freetown on Thursday, January 4.
“I refer to the mission to Freetown on December 23 of the high-level ECOWAS delegation, led by His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, and His Excellency, Macky Sail, President of the Republic of Senegal.
“I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that as part of the agreement reached during the mission, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has offered to host His Excellency, Ernest Bal Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, in Abuja on a temporary basis.
“The former President has accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria. Subject to your approval, arrangements will be made to fly former President out of Freetown on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
“He will be accompanied by his office manager and personal assistant. In addition to seeking Your Excellency’s approval for the departure from Sierra Leone of the former President on or around the date indicated above, I would like to seek your confirmation that once President Koroma leaves Sierra Leone, the following arrangements (as agreed during the mission) will be put in place:
“The Government of Sierra Leone will discontinue all legal and administrative procedures against him. The Government of Sierra Leone will also continue to disburse to him his benefits as former President.
“The Government of Sierra Leone will secure his residences in the various locations in Sierra Leone. The Government of Sierra Leone will consider refunding medical and travel expenses he has incurred.
“While looking forward to Your Excellency’s favourable response, I take this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
