Following a failed coup in Sierra Leone, a landmark agreement brokered by an ECOWAS mission is set to be enacted tomorrow, 4 January 2024.
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma is scheduled to depart for Abuja, Nigeria, pending approval from President Maada Bio.
A reminder letter from ECOWAS President Omar Touray to President Bio reiterated that Nigeria had agreed to host Koroma temporarily.
The former president has accepted this offer, with plans in place for his departure from Freetown tomorrow, accompanied by his office manager and personal assistant.
The letter also stresses the necessity of continued payments for Koroma’s allowances and entitlements as a former head of state.
However, President Bio’s response to the ECOWAS Secretariat’s letter is still pending, crucial for the execution of the plan.
Part of the letter read:
”I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that as part of the agreement reached during the mission, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has agreed to host His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, in Abuja, on a temporary basis. The former president has accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria.
”Subject to your approval, arrangements will be made to fly former President Koroma out of Freetown on Thursday 4, January 2024. He will be accompanied by his office manager and personal assistant.”