Bound by Brotherhood: Obasanjo, Odumegwu-Ojukwu accompany ex- President Koroma back to Sierra Leone

By Aminat Damilola, Assistant Editor

After spending more than two years in Nigeria, the former President Ernest Koroma has returned to Sierra Leonean .

Yesterday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo accompanied him to Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.

Acting on the direct instructions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu accompanied the former president back to his homeland, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who facilitated Koroma’s return in his capacity as special envoy, saw him off to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Koroma served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018 before leaving for Nigeria in January 2024, after being charged with treason and other offences over the November 2023 unrest in the country. NigerianMarket Analysis

The upheaval, which the Sierra Leonean authorities described as an attempted coup, left 21 people dead and led to the escape of hundreds of prisoners.

Jonathan, who described Koroma’s stay in Nigeria as “home away from home,” expressed gratitude that the country supported him.

He said he had worked with others to encourage dialogue with the Sierra Leonean authorities to create conditions for Koroma’s safe return.

Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement by Magnus Eze, special assistant on Communication and New Media(Office of the Minister), that Koroma’s return to Sierra Leone concludes a regional diplomatic and confidence-building process.

The ministry credited the development to engagements by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that were aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone.

According to the statement, the process helped create conditions for greater understanding between President Julius Bio and the former president.

“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” the statement quoted Odumegwu-Ojukwu as saying.

The minister noted that during his stay in Nigeria, sustained engagements involving ECOWAS, the Nigerian government and other stakeholders contributed to resolving issues that necessitated his relocation.

She expressed appreciation to President Bio, former President Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation and commitment to peace.

Proclaiming Nigeria’s abiding pledge to regional peace and democratic integrity, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed joyful assurance that Koroma’s return would firmly anchor the bonds of national reconciliation in Sierra Leone.