Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and ruling party candidate, speaks to journalists after casting his vote for national elections at a polling station in Freetown, Sierra Leone, June 24, 2023. Portal/Cooper Inveen/File Photo Acquire License Rights
- Unidentified gunmen attack military weapons depots in Sierra Leone
- Government says attack repelled, situation under control
- Sporadic gunfire could still be heard in the capital
FREETOWN, Nov 26 (Portal) – Sierra Leone has imposed a nationwide curfew after unidentified gunmen attacked a military barracks and tried to break into an armory in the capital Freetown, the government said on Sunday.
A government statement said security forces had the situation under control.
“In the early hours of Sunday morning, some unknown persons attempted to break into the armory at Wilberforce Barracks. They were turned away,” Information Minister Chernor Bah said in the statement.
“A nationwide curfew has been imposed with immediate effect… We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors,” the statement continued.
The political situation in the West African country has remained tense since President Julius Maada Bio was re-elected in a disputed election in June, the result of which was rejected by the main opposition candidate.
Anti-government protests that led to the deaths of six police officers and at least 21 civilians last August were an attempt to overthrow the government, President Maada Bio said at the time.
In a message on the social media account on Sunday
“As the joint team of our security forces continues to drive out the remnants of the fleeing apostates, a nationwide curfew has been imposed and citizens are urged to stay indoors,” the post said.
There have been eight military coups in West and Central Africa since 2020, dealing repeated blows to democracy in a region that appears to have made progress in shedding its “coup belt” nickname.
Sporadic gunfire could still be heard in the empty streets of Freetown near the barracks on Sunday, said a Portal reporter who encountered a group of the renegade soldiers.
“We will cleanse this society. We know what we’re up to. We are not targeting ordinary civilians who should be going about their normal business,” said one of the masked men in military uniforms before driving away.
Reporting by Umaru Fofana, Writing by Bate Felix, Editing by David Goodman
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