Impending Arrival of ECOMOG Boots in Sierra Leone Confirmed: it is sealed and settled as President Bio is Worried!!!!!

By Abdul Bero Kamara

An imminent landing of the ECOWAS stabilizing force in Sierra Leone has been officially confirmed, sourced from reliable channels in Abuja, Nigeria.

The recent validation of this news came from Colonel Issa Bangura, the spokesperson and head of the media for the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, who elaborated that an ECOMOG stabilizing force has commenced its arrival in Sierra Leone.

The deployment of the ECOMOG force to Sierra Leone is directly linked to the current political instability in the aftermath of the June 24 general election. Various significant events have transpired since, notably the so-called failed coup on November 26, signalling a precarious situation that could potentially escalate.

In related developments, a tripartite committee tasked with reviewing the June 24 election and previous electoral processes is nearing completion of its work within the next three weeks. Speculation abounds that the recommendations may include a rerun of the 2023 election, an idea that President Bio has already dismissed.

Furthermore, there are whispers of planned demonstrations should President Bio refuse to comply with the committee’s recommendations, heightening the uncertainty in the country’s political landscape.

It is worth noting that the Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened on Sunday, December 10, 2023, and collectively endorsed the deployment of a regional security mission to assist in stabilizing the situation in Sierra Leone post the alleged attempted coup on November 26.

The African Standby Force (ASF) serves as a crucial component of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), dedicated to crisis prevention and response across the continent, aligning with the objectives outlined in Article 13 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (2003).

While a majority of Sierra Leoneans welcome the impending ECOMOG presence as a deterrent against civilian casualties during peaceful demonstrations, recalling past tragedies such as the August 10 incident and the Pademba Road massacre, President Bio’s government may view this intervention as a potential encroachment on internal affairs.

However, as Sierra Leone is a signatory to numerous international treaties, President Bio’s options are limited, and the unfolding events in the increasingly tense political climate will reveal the dynamics at play.