Failed Coup Attempt In Sierra Leone Claims 20 Lives

A failed coup attempt is reportedly the reason behind a series of attacks on military facilities and prisons on Sunday, November 26, 2023, according to government and police sources in Sierra Leone, writes Jerry Chifamba for AllAfrica.

Following the event, 13 military officers and one citizen were detained, according to Information Minister Chernor Bah. "The attempted coup failed in the early hours of November 26, when a group of people forcibly attempted to unseat the administration", the Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu said.

The streets of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown were nearly empty on Monday November 27, 2023 after attacks, including on a military barrack and an armory. Security forces were still patroling Freetown's streets and controlling traffic at checkpoints. The government eased a curfew imposed nationwide on Sunday November 26, replacing it with an overnight curfew from 9pm to 6am on Monday 27.

Information minister Chernoh Bah told Deutsche Welle that government forces were able to "repel the assailants," some of whom have been "apprehended and are currently helping our police and security forces with investigations." Bah said President Julius Maada Bio "is in full and complete control of our country."

West African regional group Ecowas condemned what it described as an attempt to "acquire arms and disturb constitutional order" in Sierra Leone.

The government has been unsettled since the contested re-election of President Julius Maada Bio in June 2023.

Anti-government protests in August resulted in the deaths of six police officers and at least 21 civilians. Maada Bio has referred to these protests as attempts to overthrow the government.

This article originally appeared on AllAfrica

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