The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has expressed its deep gratitude to the Sierra Leonean government for allowing former President, Ernest Bai Koroma to travel abroad for medical reasons.
The Nation reports that, In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, January 22, ECOWAS commended the “humanitarian gesture” of the government of Sierra Leone, saying it serves the “greater interest of Sierra Leone and the ECOWAS region.”
The statement comes after a Sierra Leonean court authorized Koroma’s temporary travel on medical grounds earlier this week.
The former president faces charges of treason and other offenses related to his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in November 2023.
The ruling stipulates that Koroma, 70, can stay in Nigeria for no more than three months and must return to Sierra Leone for a court hearing in March.
ECOWAS, a regional bloc of 15 West African nations, had previously intervened in the situation, with presidents from Senegal and Ghana facilitating a deal for Koroma’s temporary exile in Nigeria.
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This latest statement reinforces the regional body’s continued commitment to Sierra Leone’s stability and prosperity.
The statement by the regional body reads: “The Economic Community of West African States expresses its profound gratitude to the authorities of Sierra Leone for granting permission to the former president of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Ernest BaiKoroma, to travel out of Sierra Leone on medical and health grounds.
“ECOWAS commends the humanitarian gesture that stands to serve the greater interest of Sierra Leone and the ECOWAS region.
ECOWAS renews its commitment to supporting the government and the people of Sierra Leone in their efforts to foster peace and security as well as to deepen democracy and good governance. “
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