By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 7th September, 2026 – Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, has finally returned home after almost three years in exile, following the government’s decision to drop all treason charges against him in connection with the November 26, 2023, failed coup.
Addressing the gathering after his arrival, Koroma expressed that “Home will always be home,” stressing that there could never be a substitute for his country.
Koroma returned to Sierra Leone on Sunday, 6th September, 2026, after 2 years in Nigeria, where he was receiving medical treatment on bail condition in an agreement involving Sierra Leone, Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He was received in a high-profile homecoming that brought together a cross-party delegation comprising members of both the ruling and opposition parties, Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC), underscoring the political significance of his return and the broader national reconciliation efforts surrounding his homecoming.
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.
Koroma also thanked the leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament: The Speaker and the Minority Leader, for their efforts in facilitating his return.
He 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.
Koroma arrived at Freetown International Airport around midday, accompanied by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said she and former President Obasanjo travelled to Sierra Leone to accompany Koroma’s “safe, dignified and orderly return.” She described the occasion as the successful conclusion of a temporary relocation that began in January 2024.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Koroma’s stay in Nigeria formed part of broader regional diplomatic engagement and confidence-building efforts aimed at supporting the peaceful management of developments in Sierra Leone.
She recalled that, following the November 2023 attempted coup, ECOWAS, then chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, engaged the Sierra Leonean Government as part of its mandate to promote regional peace, democratic order and political understanding.
An ECOWAS delegation subsequently visited Sierra Leone and engaged President Bio and his government. Those engagements, she said, helped create an understanding between President Bio and Koroma, leading to an agreement for the former president to temporarily relocate to Nigeria as part of a wider confidence-building process.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria received Koroma with dignity and hospitality befitting a former head of state and that meaningful progress was made during his stay towards addressing the issues that had led to his relocation.
She said sustained ECOWAS engagement, cooperation from relevant stakeholders and the goodwill of the Nigerian government and other actors helped strengthen the environment for dialogue and a constructive resolution.
She said Koroma’s conduct throughout the process demonstrated restraint, statesmanship and a commitment to a peaceful outcome.
She said the Nigerian Government believes the developments recorded had created a sufficient basis for Koroma’s safe and dignified return.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also acknowledged the role of ECOWAS and the cooperation of the Sierra Leonean Government in creating the conditions that made the former president’s return possible.
She conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to President Bio, Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their understanding, goodwill, cooperation and commitment to peace.
She said Nigeria remained confident that the developments would contribute to national reconciliation, stability and democratic peace in Sierra Leone.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo described Koroma’s return as a significant moment for Africa, particularly West Africa, and for the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Obasanjo thanked God for the outcome and said he was pleased that the situation had ended in what he described as a dignified manner.
He thanked President Tinubu for providing a conducive environment and accommodation for Koroma during his stay in Nigeria, as well as ECOWAS leaders, for their efforts to resolve the matter without compromising the dignity of either side.
Obasanjo also commended President Bio for bringing the matter to a close and praised Koroma for his conduct throughout the process.
He thanked the people of Sierra Leone and urged them to work together, stressing that national development requires the contribution of all citizens.
