At least four members of the security forces as well as civilians were killed in demonstrations on Wednesday. According to President Julius Maada organic, the “insurrection” has been planned by opposition members.
Le Monde with AFP
President Sierra-Léonais Julius Maada Bio said on Friday August 12 that the deadly riots occurred on Wednesday aimed at creating a “insurrection” to overthrow the government, and accused the opposition.
“That day, the peace, security and stability of this nation were broken by people whose insurrection was premeditated, well planned, funded and executed with shocking brutality,” said the president Organic in a speech to the nation.
“Before [Wednesday] August 10, they seriously identified themselves on social networks,” said the Sierra-Léonais leader, quoting members of opposition training such as “the warriors of the APC “, the former ruling party, and the Popular Progressive Party (PPP). “Politicians have created tensions and threats to make the country ungovernable,” he added.
According to him, “it was not a demonstration against the cost of living. The song of the insurgents aimed a violent reversal of the democratically elected government,” continued Mr. Bio, elected in April 2018. He promised A survey and announced official funeral for the members of security killed of these riots in at least three cities of Sierra Leone, including the capital Freetown.
“Pacific rally”
The APC expressed “his concern in the face of the wave of violence in Freetown and other cities in the provinces having provoked losses in lives of compatriots” Wednesday, in a statement published Friday evening, after the speech of the Bio President , without referring to it.
“As a party, we reaffirm and reinforce our commitment to lasting peace and national cohesion,” added the press release by calling for compliance with the law.
The APC recalled that the law guarantees the freedom to organize a peaceful demonstration, and called all the parties to “a de -escalation of tensions and to avoid incendiary speeches and unfounded declarations”.
The initiative of the demonstration came from a group of shopping women, “The Grassroots Women of Saltae”, which summoned a “peaceful gathering” to “draw attention to economic difficulties”.
The demonstration then turned to the riot. At least four members of the security forces were killed and several police stations were vandalized, police said. Civilians were also killed, according to the same source, during these disorders which were also marked by a suspension of the Internet. A 7-hour curfew is maintained until further notice.
Despite a soil full of diamonds, Sierra Leone is one of the least developed countries in the world. The former British colony and its 7.5 million inhabitants were still recovering from a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002 and the Ebola epidemic of 2014-2016 in West Africa when they were struck by the pandemic of Covid-19 then by the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine.