SLPP’s Mambu Says Koroma’s Return May Rekindle Grassroots Concerns Over 2023 Coup

Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Publicity Secretary Moses Mambu says the return of former President Ernest Bai Koroma could unsettle some grassroots supporters because of lingering concerns over the November 2023 events, which authorities described as an attempted coup.

Speaking to SKB, Mambu said the SLPP is engaging its grassroots communities to inform supporters about Koroma’s return and address concerns linked to memories of previous political events. He said some supporters may feel traumatised due to the past experience of fears surrounding the overthrow of the SLPP government.

Koroma returned to Sierra Leone on September 6, 2026, after more than two years in Nigeria, following the government decision to discontinue treason and other charges against him over the 2023 uprising. During the incident, armed attackers targeted military and security installations and prisons.

Mambu said the history surrounding the allegations and the circumstances of Koroma’s return are among the reasons the SLPP wants to communicate directly with its grassroots supporters.

Koroma’s return has been welcomed by the government and regional actors as part of efforts to promote national reconciliation and cohesion. ECOWAS commended the Sierra Leonean government for facilitating his return, while President Julius Maada Bio subsequently received the former president in an engagement highlighting national unity and reconciliation.

Mambu’s comments come as Koroma’s return continues to attract political attention ahead of Sierra Leone’s 2028 presidential election. He said the SLPP’s immediate priority is to ensure its grassroots supporters understand the circumstances surrounding Koroma’s return and are adequately informed about the development.