By Umaru Fofana Reuters
Sierra Leone has declared a nationwide curfew after unidentified gunmen attacked a army barracks and tried to interrupt into an armoury within the capital, Freetown, the federal government mentioned on Sunday.
A authorities assertion mentioned the safety forces have been in charge of the scenario.
“Within the early hours of Sunday, some unidentified people tried to interrupt into the army armoury on the Wilberforce barracks. The have been rebuffed,” data minister Chernor Bah mentioned within the assertion.
“A nationwide curfew has been declared with rapid impact … We strongly advise residents to remain indoors,” the assertion added.
A senior official who requested anonymity informed Reuters that the central jail in Freetown was open and a few inmates had escaped. The jail, designed to carry 324 inmates, held over 2,000 in 2019, in accordance with a U.S. State Division report.
It was not clear what number of had damaged out of the power, however movies shared on social media confirmed a number of individuals fleeing from the realm of the jail, whereas gun pictures could possibly be heard within the background.
Reuters has not authenticated the movies.
The political scenario within the West African nation has remained tense for the reason that re-election of President Julius Maada Bio in a disputed election in June, the results of which was rejected by the principle opposition candidate.
Anti-government protests that resulted within the loss of life of six law enforcement officials and no less than 21 civilians final August have been an try to overthrow the federal government, President Maada Bio mentioned on the time.
In a message on the president’s X social media account on Sunday, he mentioned there had been a breach of safety as some unidentified people attacked the army armoury.
“Because the mixed group of our safety forces proceed to route out the remnants of the fleeing renegades, a nationwide curfew has been declared and residents are inspired to remain indoors,” the publish mentioned.
There have been eight army coups in West and Central Africa since 2020, delivering repeated blows to democracy in a area.
The Financial Group of West African States condemned what it referred to as an try by sure people to “purchase arms and disturb constitutional order” in Sierra Leone. The U.S. embassy in Freetown mentioned in an announcement such actions weren’t justified.
Sporadic gunfire may nonetheless be heard within the empty streets of Freetown close to the barracks on Sunday, mentioned a Reuters reporter who encountered a bunch of the renegade troopers.
“We’ll clear this society. We all know what we’re as much as. We aren’t after any abnormal civilians who ought to go about their regular enterprise,” mentioned one of many masked males in army fatigues earlier than driving away.
