ECOWAS condemns plot to disrupt peace in Sierra Leone
PHOTO: President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone
SOURCE: Xinhua News Agency
FREETOWN, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) — Sierra Leone’s armed forces on Monday confirmed the deaths of seven personnel during clashes with armed assailants who targeted military barracks in Freetown, the country’s capital.
On Sunday morning, unidentified individuals attacked the Wilberforce military barracks and other locations, including the Pademba Road Correctional Center, leading to a prison break.
During a press conference, the armed forces told local media that several injured personnel are currently receiving treatment.
“The situation is gradually returning to normalcy with military patrols and checkpoints established in the capital and other areas,” said Abdul Kamara Will, spokesperson for the Office of National Security.
As a result, many businesses and shops in the capital remain closed, while schools have yet to resume.
Brima Kamara, spokesperson for the Sierra Leone Police, urged the public to collaborate with law enforcement while warning against harboring escaped prisoners. He also confirmed that some prisoners voluntarily surrendered to prison authorities Monday morning.
ECOWAS condemns plot to disrupt peace in Sierra Leone
SOURCE: The Punch newspaper
The Economic Community of West African States has condemned the plot by some individuals to disturb the peace of Sierra Leonians.
In a statement on Sunday, ECOWAS said, “The bloc has learnt, with utter disgust, a plot by certain individuals to acquire 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.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Sierra Leonean government declared a 24-hour nationwide curfew after unidentified gunmen attacked a military barracks and attempted to break into an armoury in Freetown, the capital city.
The curfew order was contained in a statement by Chernor Bah, information and civic education minister on Sunday According to Bah, President Julius Bio declared a nationwide curfew following the security breach at the military barracks in Freetown.
The minister quoted Bio as reaffirming the government’s determination to protect democracy and peace, adding that security forces were in control of the situation.
“In the early hours of Sunday, some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at the Wilberforce barracks. They have been rebuffed.
“A nationwide curfew has been declared with immediate effect. We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors.”
The minister recalled that Bio addressed the nation in the early hours of Sunday during which he alerted Sierra Leoneans to the security breach in Freetown.
“Some unidentified individuals attacked the military armoury. However, they were repelled by our gallant security forces and calm has been restored.
“As the combined team of our security forces continues to route out the remnant of the fleeing renegades, a nationwide curfew has been declared and citizens are encouraged to stay indoors.
“The peace of our beloved nation is priceless; we shall continue to protect the peace and security of Sierra Leone against the forces that wish to truncate our much-cherished stability.
“We remain resolute in our determination to protect democracy in Sierra Leone and I urge all Sierra Leoneans to unite towards this collective responsibility.” Bio said during the broadcast.
Meanwhile,\xa0 Sierra Leone’s civil aviation authority on Sunday urged airlines to reschedule flights, adding that the country’s airspace remains open.
The aviation authority said in a statement that passengers should be placed on the next available flights after the curfew is lifted, 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 public is assured that the government and our state security forces are in control,” information minister Chernor Bah, said in the statement.
“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.
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 the police office.
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