FREETOWN — Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned to Sierra Leone after spending more than two years in Nigeria.
Koroma left Sierra Leone in January 2024 after being charged with treason and other offenses in connection with the November 2023 unrest.
Sierra Leone’s authorities dropped the treason charges against him in July 2026, clearing the way for his return.
Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States were involved in efforts to facilitate Koroma’s stay in Nigeria and subsequently his return.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the return followed a regional diplomatic and confidence-building process involving ECOWAS, Nigeria and other stakeholders.
Koroma served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018.
His return comes as Sierra Leone continues efforts to address political tensions following the disputed 2023 election and subsequent unrest.
