Sierra Leone on Wednesday officially charged former president Ernest Bai Koroma with treason and additional offenses linked to an alleged attempted coup on November 26th, according to authorities.

Ernest Bai Koroma, who served as the leader of the West African nation from 2007 to 2018, had previously been under investigation, with authorities naming him as an official suspect in orchestrating the coup attempt.

In an official statement signed by Information Minister Chernor Bah, it was revealed, “The former president is charged with four offences, including treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring.”

This development follows Tuesday’s charges against 12 individuals for treason in connection with the same coup attempt.

Among those charged is Amadu Koita, a former soldier and one-time bodyguard of Koroma. Koita had gained prominence on social networks for openly criticizing the current government led by President Julius Maada Bio.

The incident on November 26th witnessed armed attackers storming a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons, and two police stations, engaging in clashes with security forces.

The violence resulted in the loss of 21 lives, and hundreds of prisoners escaped before authorities could regain control.

The government classified the incident as a coup attempt orchestrated by members of the armed forces.

This development has raised concerns about political stability in West Africa, where countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea have witnessed coup attempts since 2020.