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The Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is preparing to convene another court martial in September 2024, where 13 military officers will face charges related to their alleged involvement in the failed coup attempt of November 26, 2023.
This announcement was made by Major Yayah Brima, the Media Operations Officer at the Joint Forces Command, headquartered at Cockeril Military Base in Freetown.
While the names of the 13 accused officers have yet to be released, the news comes on the heels of a recently concluded court martial, which dealt with the cases of 27 military personnel implicated in the same coup plot. That trial, led by Captain (Navy) Lawrence Jabati, ended with severe sentences for most of the accused.
During the previous court martial, one officer pleaded guilty to nine charges and was sentenced to 30 years in prison after the prosecution dropped the remaining eleven charges. Another officer was acquitted and discharged after being found not guilty on all six charges against him. Twenty-four others were convicted on all charges and received prison sentences ranging from 50 to 120 years. Additionally, one officer was acquitted due to insanity.
The upcoming court martial is expected to be a significant event, as the military continues its efforts to hold those involved in the failed coup accountable. Major Brima has assured the public that justice will be served as the RSLAF seeks to maintain discipline and uphold the rule of law within its ranks.
As the military prepares for this new round of trials, the outcome will be closely watched by both national and international observers, particularly in light of the heavy sentences handed down in the previous court martial. The RSLAF is under pressure to demonstrate transparency and fairness as it moves forward with these prosecutions.
