Sierra Leone says its security forces have restored calm to
the country after armed men attacked the military barracks on Sunday.
Chernor Bah, the country’s minister of information and civic
education, had said “unidentified individuals” attacked the barracks which
houses several foreign embassies, including those of China, Germany, Austria,
Gambia, Lebanon and Syria.
Following Bah’s announcement, the government declared a nationwide
curfew.
Prisoners also escaped from a detention facility after a
coordinated jail break orchestrated by gunmen.
In an address on Sunday night, Julius Bio, president of
Sierra Leone, said most of the leaders of the attack have been arrested.
Although Bio refrained from describing the chain of events
as a coup, he labelled them an attempt to undermine the stability the country
has worked hard to achieve.
“The attackers have been repelled by a combined team of
gallant security forces and calm has been restored,” the president said.
“Most of the leaders
have been arrested, security operations and investigations are ongoing. We will
ensure that those responsible are held accountable through due process.
“I acknowledge the bravery and dedication of our armed
forces, police, and all those who played a role to defeat this attempt to
undermine the peace and stability we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”
Bio asked citizens to be reminded of national unity and
advised that “everyone remain vigilant and cooperate with the security forces”.
In another statement, the minister of information and civic
education said a new curfew would be imposed from 9 pm to 6 am local time till
further notice.
Bah also asked citizens to report suspicious activities to
security agencies.
Sierra Leone has been engulfed by a tense political climate
since Bio was re-elected in June.
The result of the election was rejected by the opposition
candidate and questioned by international partners, including the US and
European Union, who said the polls lacked transparency.
The unrest in Sierra Leone comes in the wake of a slew of
military coups in West and Central Africa.
In his address to the nation following the attack on the
barracks, Bio called on the West African nation’s political and traditional
leaders to work to preserve peace.
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