The Economic Community of West African States has condemned the plot by some individuals to disrupt the peace in Sierra Leone.
The condemnation is contained in a statement issued Sunday by ECOWAS in Abuja.
In an attempt to breach an armoury, some unidentified gunmen attacked a military barracks in Freetown, the nation’s capital of Sierra Leone.
Condemning the development, the ECOWAS said: “The bloc has learnt, with utter disgust, a plot by certain individuals to aquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order in Sierra Leone.
“ECOWAS condemns this act and calls for the arrest and prosecution of everyone involved in the illegality.
“The bloc has always maintained its zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government.
“We want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the government and the people of Sierra Leone’s quest to deepen democracy and good governance by consolidating peace and security so as to foster socio-economic development.”
Earlier, the Sierra Leonean government declared a 24-hour nationwide curfew in a proactive step to ensure that the peace is not tampered with.
…Govt declares nationwide curfew
Following the coup the Sierra Leonean government subsequently declared a nationwide curfew, urging citizens to stay indoors.
President Julius Maada Bio reassured the public, stating that security forces repelled the attackers, restoring calm, and emphasised his commitment to protecting democracy.
The curfew
Multiple reports cited indicate that some unidentified gunmen attacked a military barrack and attempted to break into an armoury in the capital, Freetown, on Sunday, November 26, 2023.
But as a quick fix, the Sierra Leonean government declared a nationwide curfew to contain the development while urging citizens to remain indoors.
In a statement on Sunday, Sierra Leone’s information minister, Chernor Bah, urged all citizens to stay indoors.
“In the early hours of Sunday, some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at the Wilberforce barracks. They have been rebuffed,” Bah said in a statement cited by Reuters. “A nationwide curfew has been declared with immediate effect … We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors,” he said.
Addressing the citizens on the development, President Bio, via a statement posted on X, said there was a security breach at the Military Barracks at Wilberforce in Freetown.
He, however, said the gunmen were repelled by the security forces, adding that calm has been restored.
The Sierra Leonean president added that the combined team of security forces will root out the remnant of the fleeing renegades.
Bio said he was determined to protect democracy in Sierra Leone and urged all Sierra Leoneans to “unite towards this collective responsibility.”
President Bio was re-elected in June 2023 in a disputed election, whose result was rejected by the main opposition candidate.
Al Jazeera reported that international observers condemned a “lack of transparency” in the election.
The political situation in the West African nation has since remained tense. Protests staged against the government in August led to the death of six police officers and at least 21 civilians. President Maada Bio described the protest as an attempted coup.
History of coups
There have been eight military coups in West and Central Africa since 2020, threatening democracy in the region. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has consistently spoken against coups and attempted to restore democracy in Nigeria via a military intervention. ECOWAS parliament wants sanctions against Niger Republic lifted.
Meanwhile, some concerned parliamentarians of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament have urged President Tinubu and other member states to lift the sanctions placed on the Niger Republic following the military takeover. This appeal was made Wednesday, November 22, by Senator Ali Ndume (Nigeria), Hon. Djibo Ali Amadou (Niger Rep), Hon. Issa Salifou (Benin), Hon Abdullahi Balarabe Salame (Sokoto) and other legislators of the ECOWAS parliament from other members states.
Addressing journalists shortly after the opening ceremony of the 2nd ordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament in Abuja, Senator Ndume said neighbouring Nigeria states are bearing the cost of the damage triggered by these sanctions.
…Prisoners abducted – Official
In a related development, the Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, said some prisoners were abducted following the security beach.
“The prisons were thus overrun. Some prisoners were abducted by the assailants while many others were released,” Bah wrote on X on Sunday.
He said the security forces pushed back the assailants to the outskirts of the city and are currently engaged in the Jui area.
“The public is assured that the government and our state security forces are in control,” the minister further said.
“To enable the security forces to continue the process of apprehending the suspects, a nationwide curfew has been declared with immediate effect across the country. We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors,” the statement added.
“Major detention centres including the Pademba Road Prisons were attacked earlier today and in the interest of protecting civilian lives (including of prisoners), the security forces were forced to make a tactical retreat,” he said.
He assured that most of the city is calm and under control of the state security forces.
“The security forces are making progress in the operation to defeat and apprehend those responsible for today’s attacks. The curfew remains in effect,” the minister further added.
Confirming the coup, Bio, in a post on X, acknowledged the latest development and said “the peace of our beloved nation is priceless and we shall continue to protect the peace and security of Sierra Leone against the forces that wish to truncate our much-cherished stability.”
He added that his government remained resolute in its determination to protect democracy in Sierra Leone and urged all Sierra Leoneans to unite towards this collective responsibility.
… Airlines to reschedule flights
Also, the Sierra Leone’s civil aviation authority has urged airlines to reschedule flights after a nationwide curfew imposed by the government in response to an attack on a military barracks by the unidentified gunmen.
The aviation authority said in a statement that passengers should be placed on the next available flights after the curfew is lifted.
It added that the country’s airspace remains open, Reuters reports.
Gunfire was heard in some neighbourhoods of Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown on Sunday afternoon following an attempt by unidentified gunmen to break into a military armoury.
The political situation in Sierra Leone has been tense since President Julius Maada Bio was re-elected in June, a result rejected by the main opposition candidate.
Sierra Leone’s interior minister David Taluva told Reuters that the retreating assailants had attacked a police barracks after running out of ammunition, and had seized more arms from police officers.
(France 24.com, Al-Jazeera)
