PHOTO: Former Pres. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Following last week’s violent street protest which left at least 27 people killed in the capital of neigbouring Sierra Leone, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has taken to her Twitter handle to call for dialogue and peace.
“Former Liberian Pres Sirleaf Calls for Dialogue Peace and Rule of Law in Sierra Leone. The people of Sierra Leone have maintained peace over 15 consecutive years despite political differences,” Liberia and Africa’s first elected female President writes.
“We call upon current leaders to ensure the peace and observe the rule of law. As neighbors, we Liberians should support efforts for peaceful dialogue and resolution,” former President Sirleaf added.
According to international media reports, officials in Sierra Leone last Wednesday announced a nationwide curfew amid anti-government protests, during which an unspecified number of people were killed, including two police officers.
Footage circulated on social media showed crowds of demonstrators burning tires in the capital, Freetown, and other groups of young men throwing rocks at security forces.
“These unscrupulous individuals have embarked on a violent and unauthorized protest which has led to the loss of lives of innocent Sierra Leoneans including security personnel,” Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said in a video address.
A police spokesman was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that two police officers “were mobbed to death by protesters.”
AFP also reported that security forces were firing at protesters.
Police said dozens of demonstrators were arrested.
Why were they protesting?
Protesters took to the streets to express anger over rising prices for essential goods in the West African country.
Demonstrators were heard chanting slogans against President Julius Maada Bio, saying, “Bio must go.”
According to the World Bank, half of Sierra Leone’s population of around 8 million live below the poverty line.
(AFP, Reuters)