©AfreePress-(Lomé, november 26, 2023)-Early Sunday morning on November 26, 2023, the residents of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, were awakened by gunfire, sparking immediate rumors of a coup d’état. However, Minister Thierno Bah, responsible for information and education, released a statement just before 8 a.m., clarifying the situation, ensuring government control, and declaring a curfew.
According to the Minister of Information and Education, individuals attempting to breach the military armory at the Wilberforce barracks early that Sunday were repelled by loyalist forces protecting the government. Arrests were subsequently made, prompting the government to enforce an immediate nationwide curfew.
« We strongly advise citizens to remain indoors. Please follow the official channels of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for accurate information and updates on the situation, » added Minister Thierno Bah in the statement.
Following this announcement, President Julius Maada Bio took to social media to reassure the public that the situation was under control. He affirmed that the assailants had been repelled by the defense and security forces, with ongoing efforts to secure the area.
In a statement released just before 9 a.m., ECOWAS condemned these acts and called for legal action to be taken against the perpetrators of this attempted coup d’état, which the sub-regional organization strongly denounces.
Olivier A.
