Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after assault on barracks

FREETOWN, Nov 26 (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 that the safety forces had been accountable for the state of affairs.

“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 speedy impact … We strongly advise residents to remain indoors,” the assertion added.

The political state of affairs within the West African nation has remained tense because the 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 dying of six law enforcement officials and no less than 21 civilians final August had 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 crew 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 put up mentioned.

There have been eight army coups in West and Central Africa since 2020, delivering repeated blows to democracy in a area that appeared to have been making progress in shedding its “coup belt” moniker.

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.

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