Attacks in Sierra Leone: Arrest of the main instigators and return to normal
During the night from Sunday to Monday, Sierra Leone was shaken by large-scale attacks against the country’s main military barracks and prisons. The attacks, which caught the West African nation’s residents and security forces by surprise, quickly sparked fears of a coup in an already troubled region.
However, President Julius Maada Bio announced in a speech on Sunday evening that most of the instigators of the attacks had been arrested and that calm had returned to the entire country, following the easing of the 24-hour curfew into a lockdown. from dawn to dusk.
Residents of the capital, Freetown, were awakened by the sounds of heavy gunfire as gunmen sought to break into the key armory of the country’s largest military barracks, located near the presidential residence.
They exchanged sustained fire with security forces and targeted major detention centers, including the central prison which housed more than 2,000 detainees. Some were released, others were allegedly kidnapped, according to the authorities.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show dozens of detainees rushing into the streets to escape the prison as security forces confronted the attackers on the outskirts of the city.
These attacks have worsened political tensions in West and Central Africa, where coups are increasing, with eight military takeovers since 2020, including Niger and Gabon this year. ECOWAS, the West African regional economic bloc of which Sierra Leone is a part, called the attacks a plot aimed “to procure arms and disrupt peace and constitutional order” in the country.
President Bio, whose re-election in a contested vote in June reignited political tensions in a country still scarred by an 11-year civil war that ended more than two decades ago, said: “Operations security and investigations are ongoing and we will ensure that those responsible are brought to justice in accordance with legal procedures.”
The 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will remain in effect until further notice, Information Minister Chernor Bah said.
“While encouraging citizens to resume their normal activities, we continue to urge everyone to remain calm but vigilant and report any suspicious or unusual activities to the nearest police station,” Bah added.
This series of attacks came as a shock to Sierra Leone, but thanks to the rapid action of security forces, the situation now appears to be under control. The authorities must now work to investigate these disturbing events and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The population, for its part, is encouraged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces to maintain the newfound peace and stability.
Learn more about the attacks in Sierra Leone: [Link to an article on the subject]
Signs of possible instability in the region: [Link to another article on the subject]