IPNEWS: Officials in neighboring Sierra Leone have declared a nationwide curfew early Sunday, Nov. 26 following an attempted infiltration at the Wilberforce military barracks in Freetown.
The nature of the incident is not immediately clear; however, eyewitnesses suggest sporadic gunfire at or near the presidential compound throughout the early hours of Sunday continues. Authorities claim they have repelled the attackers. There are no initial reports of casualties. Officials are advising the public to remain indoors; the duration of the curfew is unclear.
Heightened security and business and transport disruptions are likely in the coming hours as security operations and investigations continue.
In a short message posted on his twitter page, Preside Bio, confirmed the attacked on the Wiberforce in Freetown-terming it as a security breach in which some unidentified individuals attacked the military armory. However, security forces have repelled the attack and calm has been restored.
President Bio stated that as the combined team of our Security Forces continue to root out the remnant of the fleeing renegades, a nationwide curfew has been declared and citizens are encouraged to stay indoors.
“The PEACE of our beloved NATION is PRICELESS and we shall continue to protect the peace and security of Sierra Leone against the forces that wish to truncate our much-cherished stability. We remain resolute in our determination to protect democracy in Sierra Leone, and I urge all Sierra Leoneans to unite towards this collective responsibility.” President Julius Maada Bio stated.
The report of Military infiltration comes a day following a statement by President Julius Maada Bio questioning the pros of military coups within the region.
President Julius Maada Bio discusses whether the region’s military takeovers represent a threat to his country.
He stated that Sirree Leone remains peaceful as democratic national-learning horrors of the past. He stated the participation of the locals and political leaders has greatly helped in healing the bitter past of Sierra Leone.
Last year, hundreds of people in Sierra Leone took to the streets in frustration at rising inflation and economic hardship. The protests turned violent and led to deaths.
Since then, President Julius Maada Bio has been re-elected, but there were accusations of widespread irregularities in the poll in June.
A former coup leader in the 1990s, Bio’s first civilian term was recognized for championing education and women’s rights. But after the recent coups in the region, does Sierra Leone face a similar risk?
Julius Maada Bio, the president of Sierra Leone, talks to Al Jazeer Sierra Leone’s president: Are there good military coups?
On Friday, the Sierra Leonean President had posted his congratulatory message to his X (former Twitter) page. In his congratulatory message to President-elect Boakai, President Julius Maada Bio of neighboring Sierra Leone disclosed that he had called the President-elect and had a “fruitful conversation” with him.
“I had a fruitful conversation with President-Elect Joseph Nyumah Boakai during our call to extend my congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone on his victory at the recently concluded polls in the Republic of #Liberia. As neighbours and friends, #SierraLeone looks forward to strengthening the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations. Together, we will continue to work towards enhancing regional stability, economic growth, and the overall well-being of our citizens. I also commend President George Weah for his statesmanlike acceptance of the election result and commitment towards peace, stability and the advancement of democracy in Liberia, West Africa and Africa at large.”
President-elect Boakai has had a very long-standing personal relationship with Sierra Leone, which is just a stone’s throw or a look over the border from his birth village of Wonsongar in Foya District, Lofa County.
Ambassador Boakai obtained some of his primary and high school in Sierra Leone before graduating from the College of West Africa in Monrovia.
