A MILITARY court in Sierra Leone has sentenced 24 soldiers to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a failed coup attempt aimed at overthrowing the government of President Julius Maada Bio last November. The sentences, ranging from 50 to 120 years, were handed down late on Friday, with the harshest penalties reserved for those most heavily involved in the November 26th insurrection.
These soldiers were part of a group of 27 men who were court-martialed for their participation in the attempted coup, which saw gunmen attack military barracks, two prisons, and other key locations. The attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people and the escape of approximately 2,200 inmates.
The sentencing comes on the heels of a similar crackdown in July, where 11 civilians, police, and prison officers were jailed for their roles in the attempted overthrow. A seven-member military jury found the majority of the soldiers guilty after hours of deliberation. The charges against them included mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy, and theft of public or service property.
Among those sentenced, a lieutenant colonel received the longest prison term of 120 years, highlighting the severity of the charges and the military’s stance on the issue. Most of the other convicted soldiers were of lower ranks, with only one soldier found not guilty. Another had already been sentenced after pleading guilty, while the trial of the remaining individual is expected to conclude at a later date.
Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba, a former military officer, emphasised the gravity of the crimes before issuing the sentences, stating, ‘When we reach this conclusion for sentences, it is to send a message of zero tolerance for such an act in the military.’ The sentences were met with visible distress from the families of the convicted soldiers, many of whom wept as the verdicts were read out.
The failed coup attempt came on the heels of a contentious election in which President Bio narrowly secured a second term. The election results were disputed by the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, and concerns were raised by both local and international observers about the transparency of the voting process.
These harsh sentences underscore the government’s determination to maintain control and stability in Sierra Leone, particularly in the wake of political unrest and contested election results.
Reuters
