In Sierra Leone, a court has delivered verdicts against 11 individuals charged with treason and related offenses in connection with what authorities termed an attempted coup. The leader of the group, Amadu Koita Makalo, received a staggering sentence of 182 years in prison for charges including treason, murder, and attempted murder, according to Moses Lamin Kamara, spokesperson for the judiciary.
The incident in November involved a group of gunmen who raided the country’s armory and a prison, resulting in the release of over 2,000 inmates and the tragic deaths of 18 security personnel. Authorities arrested approximately 80 suspects, with a dozen formally charged in January. Among those charged was former president Ernest Bai Koroma, who was later granted medical leave.
Amadu Koita Makalo, formerly a bodyguard of Koroma and a vocal critic of current President Julius Maada Bio on social media, was identified as the mastermind behind the attack. Alongside Makalo, the other 10 defendants were also found guilty of treason and murder, receiving sentences ranging from 30 to 112 years in prison.
Ernest Bai Koroma, although officially retired from active politics, continues to wield influence within his political party. Many of those implicated in the attack were reportedly former associates of the ex-president, as noted by Information Minister Chernor Bah.
Sierra Leone has experienced heightened political tensions since President Bio’s reelection last year, which the opposition alleged was marred by electoral fraud. In the aftermath of Bio’s reelection, authorities apprehended several individuals, including senior military officers, who were purportedly planning protests aimed at destabilizing peace in the country.
The nation remains in the process of recovery from a devastating 11-year civil war that concluded over two decades ago. Sierra Leone, with a population of 8 million, ranks among the world’s poorest nations. Nearby Guinea has also been grappling with political instability following a coup in 2021, contributing to regional concerns.
The developments underscore ongoing challenges in governance and stability across West Africa, amid efforts to address socio-economic disparities and promote lasting peace.