© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Sierra Leone’s President and ruling occasion candidate Julius Maada Bio speaks to journalists after casting his vote for nationwide elections at a polling station in Freetown, Sierra Leone, June 24, 2023. REUTERS/Cooper Inveen/File Photograph
By Umaru Fofana
FREETOWN (Reuters) – Sierra Leone has declared a nationwide curfew after unidentified gunmen attacked a navy barracks and tried to interrupt into an armoury within the capital, Freetown, the federal government stated on Sunday.
A authorities assertion stated that the safety forces had been accountable for the state of affairs.
“Within the early hours of Sunday, some unidentified people tried to interrupt into the navy armoury on the Wilberforce barracks. The have been rebuffed,” data minister Chernor Bah stated within the assertion.
“A nationwide curfew has been declared with speedy impact … We strongly advise residents to remain indoors,” the assertion added.
The political state of affairs within the West African nation has remained tense for the reason that re-election of President Julius Maada Bio in a disputed election in June, the results of which was rejected by the primary opposition candidate.
Anti-government protests that resulted within the demise of six law enforcement officials and at the very least 21 civilians final August had been an try to overthrow the federal government, President Maada Bio stated on the time.
In a message on the president’s X social media account on Sunday, he stated there had been a breach of safety as some unidentified people attacked the navy armoury.
“Because the mixed staff of our safety forces proceed to route out the remnants of the fleeing renegades, a nationwide curfew has been declared and residents are inspired to remain indoors,” the put up stated.
There have been eight navy coups in West and Central Africa since 2020, delivering repeated blows to democracy in a area that appeared to have been making progress in shedding its “coup belt” moniker.
Sporadic gunfire might nonetheless be heard within the empty streets of Freetown close to the barracks on Sunday, stated a Reuters reporter who encountered a bunch of the renegade troopers.
“We’ll clear this society. We all know what we’re as much as. We’re not after any unusual civilians who ought to go about their regular enterprise,” stated one of many masked males in navy fatigues earlier than driving away.