Former Sierra Leonean president Ernest Bai Koroma has recently been placed under house supervision in what the opposition claim to be house arrest following the violent events that took place on November 26. The Sierra Leonean authorities have described these events as an attempted coup d’état.
On Monday, Koroma was questioned for the third time by the police in Freetown regarding the events of November 26. The government had announced on Saturday that the former president had been placed under a regime similar to house arrest, a claim that has been disputed by one of his lawyers.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information stated that Koroma had been released under the condition that he remains within the confines of his property in Freetown and that he receives a limited number of guests. However, on Monday, a significant number of police officers were deployed around his residence.
According to the Sierra Leonean authorities, some of Koroma’s former guards are suspected of having participated in the unrest that occurred on November 26. During the early hours of that day, several locations including a military armory, two barracks, two prisons, and two police stations were attacked. The resulting violence led to the death of 21 people, including 18 members of the security services and three assailants.
The current situation involving Ernest Bai Koroma has raised concerns among both his supporters and the international community. Many question the motives behind his house supervision and whether it is truly necessary or an infringement on his rights.
As the events surrounding Koroma’s house supervision continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how this situation will impact Sierra Leone’s political landscape and the country’s overall stability. The government must ensure that due process is followed and that Koroma’s rights are respected while investigating the violent events that took place on November 26.