Curfew partially lifted in Sierra Leone’s capital after 13 soldiers killed in clashes

The clashes that rocked Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown on Sunday left 13 army soldiers loyal to the government dead and were orchestrated by active and retired soldiers, a military spokesperson said on Monday.

“We have launched a search for all those involved in the violent attack, including current and retired military personnel,” Col. Issa Bangura told reporters.

Daily life began to resume in Freetown on Monday amid tight security as the government partially lifted a curfew imposed after clashes broke out in the city.

Bangura told AFP that eight more soldiers were seriously injured while defending their barracks in the clashes.

More than 24 hours after the incident, authorities still estimate full casualties as armed assailants stormed a military armory and several prisons, leading to hours of fighting with security forces. I had to get it out.

The central prison and other prisons were attacked, and dozens of inmates are believed to have escaped.

Videos posted on social media showed uniformed men being arrested in the back and side of military pickup trucks.

However, there is no indication as to who was responsible or their motives.

“Despite taking the oath, some members of the military have no loyalty to the government or the president,” Bangura said.

“We want to restore law and order as soon as possible,” he stressed.

President Julius Maada Bio said late Sunday that calm had returned after what he called an attempt to undermine peace and stability, and vowed that those responsible for the clashes would be held accountable.

He said most of those behind the clashes had been arrested.

– Preparation –
Freetown was placed on high alert and residents gradually resumed daily activities.

Some shops and banks have reopened and traffic has resumed, an AFP correspondent said.

However, schools remained closed.

Many people in Sierra Leone, including 25-year-old mother Mariamma Kamara, rushed to stock up on supplies as much as possible.

“I’m looking for food for my family. Most shops are closed,” she told AFP.

We hope the government will protect us. We want peace, but many are afraid to go back to their jobs,” she added.

Checkpoints have been set up on major highways and security forces are searching vehicles. Security was increased at government buildings and prisons.

The Ministry of Information announced that a curfew will be imposed from 9pm (9pm GMT) to 6am until further notice, and a previously imposed daytime curfew will be lifted.

“While we encourage the public to return to normal activities, we urge them to remain calm and vigilant and to report any suspicious or unusual behavior to the nearest police station,” the Ministry of Information said in the evening. said in a statement.

The West African country recently experienced a political crisis after elections in June.

Recent violence has raised fears of new coups in West Africa, with Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea all experiencing rebellions since 2020.

President Bio himself led a coup in the 1990s, only to hand over power a few years later and return to politics as a civilian.

– American support –
Regional bloc ECOWAS described Sunday’s events as an attempt to “destroy peace and constitutional order”, a term often used for a political coup.

Sierra Leone’s various partners called for respect for the “constitutional order.”

Ernest Bai Kolomo, former president of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), said in a statement that one of the soldiers assigned to protect him was shot dead at close range and another was abducted.

He strongly condemned Sunday’s attack and called for calm and order.

In a message posted on social media, the U.S. Embassy said it “strongly supports President Bio in his call for national unity.”

According to results released by the election commission, Mr. Bio was re-elected for a second term as president in June with 56.17% of the vote.

The main opposition parties are contesting the results of the presidential, parliamentary and local elections in June.

A political crisis ensued until an agreement was reached in October after mediation by the British Commonwealth, African Union and ECOWAS.

Source: guardian.ng