Sierra Leone soldiers convicted for involvement in failed coup: Report

KIGALI, Rwanda

A military court in Sierra Leone convicted 24 military personnel in relation to last year's failed coup in the West African country, local media reported Saturday.

The president of the Court Martial, Capt. Lawrence Jabati, read the guilty verdict late on Friday, saying the court "unanimously found the 24 accused persons guilty of various charges brought against them," while a soldier was acquitted of all charges, news website Awoko reported.

The soldiers were accused of attempting to overthrow the government of President Julius Maada Bio last November.

Reports indicated that the convicted soldiers received jail sentences in the range of 50-120 years.

Lt. Col. Charles Yamba, the highest-ranking officer among the accused, was reportedly found guilty of all six charges against him and received the longest sentence of 120 years.

In January, 27 soldiers were charged with mutiny and murder before Sierra Leone's Court Martial in the capital Freetown over their alleged role in a botched coup attempt in November last year.

During the sentencing, Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba emphasized that the verdict was reached due to the gravity of the offenses and the importance of maintaining discipline within the military, according to the report.

"The sentences have been given to send a message that once in the military, your level is above average, and you are expected to demonstrate that at all times, especially when it comes to the protection of the sovereignty of the nation," Ngegba was quoted as saying.

"We have considered the seriousness of the offenses committed, the law, and the circumstances presented during the trial. This conclusion on sentencing is meant to convey that such acts are zero tolerance in the military by virtue of what you stand for."

On Nov. 26, 2023, deadly violence broke out in Freetown, where about 20 people were killed, including security personnel and a civilian.

The assailants attacked military barracks and prisons, freeing around 2,000 inmates.

The government described the clashes as an attempted coup.

Military authorities said several of the attackers had in the past served as bodyguards of former President Ernest Bai Koroma. About 80 suspects, including serving military and police officers, were arrested following the incident. Koroma was charged with four counts in January, including "treason, misprision of treason and two counts of harboring" in connection with the same incident.