Government officials in Sierra Leone have declared that the weekend’s attacks on military barracks and prisons were an unsuccessful coup attempt. Following a contentious election in June that saw President Bio gain reelection despite worries about election transparency from US and European Union monitors, tensions have been rising in the West African country.
According to government officials, the attacks on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and the escape of over 2,200 inmates from prisons.
The attempted coup “failed in the early hours of the 26th of November,” according to the inspector general of police.
Reporters were informed by William Fayia Sellu that “a group of people” had attempted to forcibly “unseat” the administration. Following the event, 13 military officers and one citizen have been arrested, according to Information Minister Chernor Bah.
The event was an attempt at a coup that failed. On Tuesday, November 28, Bah stated, “The goal was to illegally undermine and topple a democratically elected government.
“The attempt was unsuccessful, and many of the leaders are either out of control or under police arrest. We intend to apprehend them and subject them to the full weight of Sierra Leonean law.”
Photographs of 32 men and two women who the police said were wanted in relation to the attacks have been released. They comprise some individuals as well as active and retired law enforcement and military personnel.
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