President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone announced a nationwide curfew yesterday after gunmen in the country’s capital, Freetown, left behind unidentified weapons.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) denounced the plot by a few individuals to upset the peace in the West African nation, releasing a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Since Bio’s contentious reelection, the country has been in intense circumstances.
Speaking to X, Bio said that unidentified gunmen had attacked a military armory within the barracks in the capital, Freetown, early in the morning. “They were driven back by security forces, and calm has been restored,” he continued.
A statewide curfew has been established, and residents are urged to stay indoors as the joint team of security personnel works to apprehend the remaining escaping renegades, he said.
However, the ECOWAS declared that it had discovered, “with abject contempt, a conspiracy by some individuals to obtain weapons and undermine the tranquility and legal framework in Sierra Leone.”
“ECOWAS denounces this behavior and demands that those responsible for the illegality be apprehended and prosecuted.”
“The bloc has consistently upheld its zero-tolerance policy for illegitimate political transitions.
In order to promote socioeconomic development, it said, “We want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the government and the people of Sierra Leone in their quest to deepen democracy and good governance by consolidating peace and security.”
It was also discovered that several prisoners from the Freetown central jail had escaped, and the situation is being looked into by the authorities. The number of those who have fled the jail is yet unknown.
Numerous individuals were seen running out of the jail area in some of the videos that went viral on social media, all while gunshots could be heard in the background. Officials said that after breaking into the military barracks, the gunmen entered the prison and released the inmates.
Following the imposition of the curfew, the civil aviation authorities of Sierra Leone have encouraged airlines to rearrange flights.
Following the lifting of the curfew, travelers should board the next available aircraft, according to a statement from the aviation authority. It also stated that the airspace of the nation is still open.
In June, Bio was reelected to a second term despite accusations from the opposition party that the electoral commission in Sierra Leone was working along with his party.
It was the country’s fifth presidential election since the bloody, 11-year civil war ended.
Eight military takeovers have occurred in West and Central Africa since 2020. The deteriorating economic climate has drawn criticism for Bio. Among other problems, the country is struggling with extreme poverty and young unemployment.
The American embassy in Freetown released a statement after the most recent incident,, stating that such acts were not warranted.
