By Abdul Bero Kamara
No matter how hard the SLPP government of President Bio tries to concoct and manipulate the system to implicate the former president in the November 26 incident, the fact is the hands of Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma are clean like a white dove.
Based on the government’s account, the attempted coup was led by the former president’s bodyguards. However, the truth is that, except for the two RSLAF personnel, late Corporal Eddie Conteh and Warrant Officer John Swarray who are currently part of the former president’s security details, all the others who were arrested, killed or on the run had no close relationship with Dr Ernest Bai Koroma since after they were retired in 2018.
It is worth noting that RSLAF Corporal Eddie Conteh was gunned down in cold blood in front of the gate at the Goderich Residence of the former president while he was on duty; on the other hand, WO John Swarray was arrested at the same location and he is being held incommunicado.
By all indications, the powers that be are determined to build up a direct correlation between the key accused and the former president.
Conversely, one cannot dispute the fact that some of these key accused, notably Idriss Kamara aka Leather Boot, Kabba Dumbuya, and Soriba Kamara, served Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma during his two terms as president
Noteworthy, some of these same key accused mentioned above, including Amadu Koita, were part of the RSLAF family at one point in time, which implies they have had working relationships directly or indirectly and could have served President Bio during the NPRC era 1992-1996.
Therefore, if the prima facie evidence against the former President is based on the relationship between the accused and the former president, invariably, it is clear that the investigation against the former President is nothing but a political witch hunt to embarrass him.
The hands of the former President are clean – as a former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma worked hard to build his international reputation for peace and democracy across Africa.
In addition, he is notably one of the outstanding leaders who relinquished power to opponents peacefully in the interests of consolidating peace and democracy.
By and large, it is on record Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has led election observation missions across the African continent with distinction; above all, he is a man of integrity, and standing; hence it is very hard to believe that he would be involved in or support the undermining of democracy in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma’s hands are clean, thus the reason a High-Powered ECOWAS Delegation led by the Presidents of Ghana and Senegal visited him on 23th December 2023 at his Goderich residence for a closed-door meeting.
According to a close source, the ECOWAS delegation assured the former President of their maximum support, cognizance of his positive track record both at home and abroad in strengthening democracy and human rights.
Ideally, no rational mind would believe that Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, who worked tirelessly to build his hard-earned reputation, consequently becoming a global Ambassador for democracy, would get himself involved directly or indirectly in such a “stupid” act that has the propensity to undermine the existence of his hard work and good name.
Until then, the hands of former President Koroma are clean like a white dove.
Compliments of the season to all comrades, and happy New Year 2024.