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Gunmen Attack Military Barracks & Prisons Killing 19 In Sierra Leone
Gunmen attacked military barracks and prisons in Sierra Leone on Sunday, November 27, leading to the deaths of 19 people, including 13 soldiers, one police officer, one civilian, and a private security employee. Three of the attackers were also killed in the clashes.
The attacks, which were described by Information Minister Chernoh Bah as “coordinated and planned,” plunged the capital city of Freetown into chaos and prompted the government to impose a nationwide curfew. Gunmen, some of whom were seen wearing military uniforms and balaclavas, roamed the streets, chanting that they would “clean” Sierra Leone.
The motives behind the attacks remain unclear, but authorities suspect that they may have been an attempt to overthrow the government. Several countries in West and Central Africa have experienced coups in recent years, including Sierra Leone’s neighbor Guinea, as well as Mali, Niger, and Chad.
President Julius Maada Bio narrowly avoided being caught up in the violence when gunmen failed to seize control of an armory near his residence. However, one of former President Ernest Koroma’s guards was killed, and another was abducted.
Despite the government’s insistence that order has been restored in Freetown, a manhunt for the remaining gunmen and escaped prisoners was ongoing Monday. A new nine-hour curfew has been imposed, starting at 9:00 p.m. local time on Monday.
The political situation in Sierra Leone has been tense since President Bio’s controversial re-election in June. International observers raised concerns about inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the election process, as well as reports of violence and intimidation.
In August, a number of soldiers were arrested and accused of plotting a coup against the president.
The US, European Union, UK, and regional bloc Ecowas have all condemned Sunday’s violence. A delegation from Ecowas and Nigeria is expected to arrive in Freetown on Monday to meet with the foreign minister.
Unrest in Guinea-Bissau as Soldiers Free Detained Officials
Gunfire erupted in Guinea-Bissau’s capital on Friday morning after National Guard soldiers freed two detained officials. The soldiers had attempted to negotiate with authorities but were unsuccessful, leading to a shootout with special forces. Calm was later restored.
The detained officials, Finance Minister Souleiman Seidi and Secretary of State for the Treasury António Monteiro, were being held amid investigations into the alleged irregular withdrawal of $10 million (£8 million) of state funds. They were questioned on Thursday afternoon by an anti-corruption inquiry to clarify payments made to 11 companies.
The leader of the country’s main opposition party had alleged that the owners of the companies were close to leaders of the governing coalition. Mr Seidi defended the payments as legal.
On Thursday evening, National Guard soldiers invaded the police cells where Mr Seidi and Mr Monteiro were being held and freed them. The soldiers took the officials to an unknown location.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is currently out of the country attending the UN’s COP28 climate conference in Dubai.
Regional stabilization forces deployed by the West African bloc Ecowas were seen patrolling the streets on Friday morning.
Guinea-Bissau has suffered a series of coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. In February last year, the president said he survived a coup attempt after being under heavy gunfire for five hours. Eleven people died in the incident.
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