Nigeria’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have escorted former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma back to Freetown, following more than two years of temporary relocation to Nigeria.
Koroma’s return was facilitated by the Nigerian Government as part of a regional diplomatic and confidence-building process aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who accompanied Koroma to Freetown on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said his return marked the successful conclusion of the process.
She said Koroma’s relocation to Nigeria in January 2024 followed engagements by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone.
According to the minister, the process helped create conditions for greater understanding between President Julius Maada Bio and the former president, paving the way for Koroma’s temporary stay in Nigeria.
“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The minister noted that sustained engagements involving ECOWAS, the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders during Koroma’s stay in Nigeria contributed to resolving the issues that had 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.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional harmony, constitutional order and democratic stability, expressing confidence that Koroma’s return would further strengthen national reconciliation and peace in Sierra Leone.