FREETOWN, July 30 – Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has paid a courtesy visit to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to express gratitude for Nigeria’s support and solidarity during a period of political and legal uncertainty following his departure from Sierra Leone.
Koroma met Tinubu at the Nigerian leader’s official residence and thanked him for Nigeria’s longstanding friendship with Sierra Leone and its support during what he described as a difficult period, according to a statement released by Koroma’s office.
The former president also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government and people for the warm hospitality extended to him during his stay in the country.
The statement said Koroma praised Tinubu’s leadership within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and commended Nigeria’s continued role in promoting peace, democracy and regional stability across West Africa.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and peace, the statement added, stressing the importance of dialogue and democratic governance in addressing political challenges across the region.
Koroma’s visit comes months after Sierra Leone’s government discontinued treason-related charges against the former president, bringing an end to legal proceedings that followed the failed November 2023 military barracks attack. He had travelled to Nigeria in late 2023 under an ECOWAS-brokered arrangement after regional leaders intervened to ease political tensions in Sierra Leone.
Nigeria has historically played a leading role in peacekeeping and mediation efforts in Sierra Leone, including during the country’s 1991-2002 civil war, and remains an influential member of ECOWAS.
by Francis Kamara
