Ernest Bai Koroma

Ernest Bai Koroma, born on October second, nineteen fifty-three, is a prominent Sierra Leonean politician and entrepreneur who served as the fourth President of Sierra Leone from September seventeenth, two thousand seven, to April fourth, two thousand eighteen. Raised in Makeni, Koroma dedicated over twenty-four years to the private insurance sector, notably as the managing director of the Reliance Insurance Trust Corporation from nineteen eighty-eight until two thousand two.

In two thousand two, Koroma transitioned into politics, becoming the leader of the All People's Congress (APC) after a decisive victory over Edward Turay. Although he faced defeat in the presidential election that year against incumbent President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Koroma's political journey continued as he was elected to Parliament, representing Bombali District from two thousand two to two thousand seven. His leadership skills shone through when he was elected minority leader of Parliament in two thousand five.

Koroma's political resilience paid off in the two thousand seven presidential election, where he won with fifty-four point six percent of the vote against Vice-President Solomon Berewa. His presidency was marked by a commitment to democratic principles, as both local and international observers hailed the election as free and fair. He was re-elected in the two thousand twelve presidential election, securing fifty-eight point seven percent of the vote against SLPP candidate Julius Maada Bio.

After serving two terms, Koroma's presidency concluded with his successor, Julius Maada Bio, taking office following the run-off elections on March thirty-first, two thousand eighteen. However, in December two thousand twenty-three, Koroma faced significant legal challenges, being placed under house arrest after an attempted coup d'état and subsequently charged with treason in January two thousand twenty-four.