Sierra Leone military barracks thwarted attack sparks coup attempt concerns
Sierra Leone's President Maada Bio condemns the thwarted assault on a military barracks in Freetown as a direct threat to democracy, raising concerns over a possible coup attempt
Sierra Leone's president has labeled the thwarted attack on a military barracks in the capital city, Freetown, as an "assault on democracy." In a video statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, President Maada Bio announced that most of the ringleaders had been apprehended, and peace has been restored. He also pledged to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice through proper legal procedures.
Following the attacks on the barracks, Bio stated that there was a security breach at a Freetown prison, leading to an unknown number of inmates escaping. This news has raised concerns about the possibility of another coup attempt in West Africa.
In response to an early Sunday attack on a military barracks, a nationwide curfew has been enforced, causing widespread disruptions to flights. The indefinite curfew has been updated to run from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily local time, beginning on Monday.
The country's airspace was initially closed, but the aviation authority later announced that Freetown International Airport would fully resume operations after the curfew was lifted. The country's information ministry stated, "This will be in effect until further notice."
A divisive election
President Bio described the incident as an "attack on democracy," but did not state outright that it was a coup attempt. Global condemnation has however been swift.
The West African regional bloc ECOWAS expressed strong condemnation of individuals attempting to obtain weapons and disrupt the peace and constitutional order in Sierra Leone. In response, ECOWAS called for the prosecution of those responsible, reaffirming its commitment to preventing unconstitutional changes of government in the region.
The attacks were condemned by the US embassy in Sierra Leone. In another statement on X, on Monday, it was stated: "We honor and remember those who gave their lives yesterday in defense of Sierra Leone's Constitution and government."
On June 20, 2023, Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and Leader of the Sierra Leone People's party (SLPP), delivered a speech to his supporters at his last campaign rally in Freetown.
President Maada Bio of Sierra Leone was sworn in for a second term just hours after winning a disputed presidential election. The election had been marred by controversies and criticized by international observers for lacking transparency. Sierra Leone had been facing a political crisis since the conclusion of the general election in June.
Local media in the West African nation have reported three unsuccessful coup attempts to overthrow Bios government in the past year. Oluwole Ojewale, an analyst with the Institute for Security Studies, informed CNN that this recent incident indicates division in the country after a contentious election period.
"The incumbent's victory has led to a legitimacy crisis, posing a major challenge to the country's relative stability over the past decade," Ojewale told CNN.
In recent years, West Africa has been plagued by recurring coups, with one occurring in Guinea, the closest neighbor to Sierra Leone.
The President reassured residents in the wake of the Sunday attacks, stating, "As your Commander in Chief, I want to assure all Sierra Leone residents that we have faced and conquered this challenge. Together, we will continue to progress and develop."
