Authorities in Sierra Leone are wrestling with the aftermath of the violent confrontation in Freetown on Sunday that claimed the lives of around 20 people. The information minister and army spokesperson of Sierra Leone confirmed that individuals involved in Sunday’s attack included soldiers, thereby further confirming that it was a coup attempt.
The Sierra Leone Ministry of Information and Civic Education has further disclosed the identities and photos of 34 individuals wanted in connection with the incident.
The list of “fugitives” released by the authorities includes 32 men and 2 women, spanning both active and retired military personnel, police officers, and civilians. Among the wanted fugitives is a former minister who served under the Ernest Bai Koroma government. A police statement posted on social networks promises a “handsome reward” for any information leading to the capture of these individuals.
The Sierra Leone authorities also confirmed that 13 military officers and one civilian who were involved in the violence had already been arrested.
The unrest started on Sunday morning as the city awoke to the sound of gunfire. The government now confirms that this disturbance was a result of armed assailants attempting to breach a military armoury at a base near the president’s residence. The situation escalated as the attackers targeted two of the city’s main prisons, resulting in the release of numerous inmates.
Military and forensic sources claim that active-duty or retired soldiers orchestrated the clashes, which resulted in the tragic loss of about twenty lives. Thirteen of the casualties were soldiers, with the remaining victims yet to be identified. The army spokesman confirmed the involvement of military personnel in the unrest.
While the government has not explicitly outlined the motives behind the violent clashes, beyond the speculation that it was a coup attempt, the situation has raised concerns about the potential resurgence of a coup d’état in West Africa. The region has witnessed coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea, all members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Julius Maada has been facing increasing challenges to his presidency, despite winning the last elections. The opposition has largely challenged the election’s conduct.
