JOHNNY PAUL KOROMA

Major Johnny Paul Koroma, born on May 9, 1960, was a prominent figure in Sierra Leonean history, known for his military prowess and controversial leadership during the turbulent times of civil war. Hailing from the Limba ethnic group, Koroma's journey began in Tombodu, within the Kono District of British Sierra Leone. Raised in Freetown, the capital, he was immersed in a milieu influenced by former presidents Siaka Stevens and Joseph Saidu Momoh, who also belonged to the Limba community.

Koroma's military career commenced in 1985 when he joined the Sierra Leonean army, marking the inception of his ascent through the ranks. Eager to hone his skills, he pursued further training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England in 1988, followed by a return to Sierra Leone where he swiftly advanced to platoon and company commander positions. His commitment to excellence led him to the Teshi Military College in Ghana in 1994, where he delved into the intricacies of army command.

However, Koroma's trajectory took a tumultuous turn with the eruption of the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1991. Tasked with commanding government forces against the notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel group led by Foday Sankoh, Koroma found himself embroiled in a complex and harrowing conflict. Amidst the chaos, he faced allegations of involvement in a coup plot against President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 1996, resulting in his arrest. Nevertheless, his fortunes reversed the following year when he was liberated during a military coup that ousted Kabbah from power.

Assuming leadership of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) military junta, Koroma aligned himself with the RUF, unleashing a wave of violence characterized by mass looting, murder, and rape against civilians, aid workers, and peacekeepers. His reign of terror, spanning roughly nine months, plunged Sierra Leone into further turmoil, drawing condemnation from the international community.

In 1998, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened, ousting Koroma from power and effectively ending his tumultuous tenure. Despite subsequent attempts at political maneuvering and participation in disarmament processes, Koroma's legacy remained tainted by his association with war crimes and atrocities committed during his regime.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Paul_Koroma