After more than two years away in Nigeria, former President Ernest Bai Koroma was happy to return home on Sunday.
He was welcomed at the airport by Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray and leaders from his APC party. Nigerian officials, including Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, accompanied him on the journey home.
Speaking to journalists with a smile, Koroma simply said: “Today I have come back home, and I’m happy.”
Koroma thanked God for his safe return and expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio for his role in facilitating the process and for his commitment to national unity.
He said he had returned refreshed and determined to continue contributing to peacebuilding, national cohesion and development, while also pledging to continue the work of his foundation, particularly its efforts to provide counselling and support to young people.
Former President Koroma also urged Sierra Leoneans to take a fresh look at the country’s future and reject gossip, misinformation and backbiting, which he said could undermine national progress. He called for sincerity, honesty and hard work, while urging citizens to put the past behind them and move forward together.
The former President also thanked the leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament: The Speaker and the Minority Leader, for their efforts in facilitating his return.
Koroma thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian government and people for welcoming him and providing accommodation and other facilities befitting his status as a former head of state. He further acknowledged Nigeria’s National Security Adviser and former President Olusegun Obasanjo for their support during his stay.
The government dropped the treason charges against Koroma in July. Those charges had followed the November 2023 attacks in Freetown. Koroma has always denied any involvement. He first went to Nigeria in January 2024 for medical treatment after a court allowed it, and stayed there while talks continued.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that ECOWAS helped arrange his temporary stay in Nigeria as a way to ease tensions and build trust between President Bio and the former president. She said Nigeria welcomed him with the respect due to a former head of state, and that good progress was made during his time there.
She praised Koroma for showing restraint and statesmanship throughout, and thanked President Bio, Koroma himself, and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation. Nigeria believes this will help bring more reconciliation, stability and peace to the country.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo also welcomed the return. He called it an important moment for West Africa and the friendship between Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He thanked God that things ended with dignity, praised President Tinubu for hosting Koroma well, and thanked ECOWAS leaders, President Bio and Koroma for handling the matter carefully. He urged Sierra Leoneans to work together, saying the country’s development needs everyone’s contribution.
Vice President Mohamed Jalloh had earlier said Koroma’s return was part of efforts to promote peace and national unity.
Koroma’s homecoming closes a long chapter. Many hope it marks a fresh start for dialogue and calm in Sierra Leone.
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