Sierra Leone Sentences 24 Soldiers for Coup Attempt

A military court in Sierra Leone has sentenced 24 soldiers to prison terms ranging from 50 to 120 years for their involvement in a failed coup attempt against President Julius Maada Bio in November. During the coup, gunmen attacked military barracks and prisons, resulting in the release of approximately 2,200 inmates and over 20 deaths. The court's verdict comes after a lengthy trial and follows the earlier sentencing of 11 civilians for their roles in the insurrection. The soldiers faced a total of 88 charges, including mutiny and murder, with the most senior convict, Lt. Col. Charles James Mishek Yamba, receiving the longest sentence of 120 years. Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba stated that the sentences aim to convey a message of zero tolerance for such actions within the military. The attempted coup occurred after a disputed election that saw President Bio secure a narrow victory, raising questions about electoral transparency.