Initial Attack: Sierra Leone experienced a significant security incident when “renegade soldiers” attempted to break into a military armory in the capital, Freetown. This prompted a strong response from the state, resulting in pushing the assailants back to the outskirts of the city and imposing a nationwide curfew.
Witness Accounts and Government Response
Government Action: A police vehicle was commandeered by an armed group near the Wilberforce barracks. Sierra Leone’s Interior Minister David Taluva reported that the attackers, having run out of ammunition, attacked a police barracks and seized more arms. Information Minister Chernor Bah confirmed that major detention centers were attacked, leading to the release of inmates. The government has restored calm in most of Freetown, with security forces engaging the assailants in the city’s eastern fringes.
Political Tensions
Backdrop of Unrest: The incident follows heightened tensions since the re-election of President Julius Maada Bio in June, contested by the opposition and questioned by international partners. Sierra Leone, still recovering from a civil war, witnessed anti-government protests in August 2022, resulting in civilian and police casualties.
International and Domestic Reactions
Condemnation and Support: The Economic Community of West African States condemned the attempt to disrupt constitutional order. The U.S. embassy in Freetown echoed this sentiment, stating such actions were unjustified. President Bio commended the security forces for their bravery and vowed to protect the nation’s peace and stability.
