The government of Sierra Leone has confirmed that the recent attacks on military barracks and prisons constituted a failed coup attempt. Information Minister Chernor Bah has detained 13 military officers and one civilian in connection with the incident, which was aimed at illegally undermining and overthrowing a democratically elected government. At least 20 individuals lost their lives in the attacks, and approximately 2,200 prisoners escaped from the targeted facilities. Additionally, authorities have released photos of 32 men and two women, both current and former military and police personnel, as well as civilians, who are being sought in relation to the unrest. President Julius Maada Bio has confirmed the arrest of many of the leaders of the attack and has pledged to continue pursuing those still at large.
Tensions linger in Freetown, where checkpoints have emerged, and schools and banks are still closed. The nation has been struggling with the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, the police fired on a group of protesters demonstrating against high food prices last August, prompting worries about the transparency of the upcoming election from European Union observers and United States officials.