Sierra Leone: Authorities Say Attack Was a Failed Coup, ECOWAS Team Arrives

According to government officials and the police in Sierra Leone, a failed coup attempt took place over the weekend with a series of attacks on military barracks and prisons. 

13 military officers and 1 civilian have been arrested in connection with the incident. The intention behind the attack was to unlawfully undermine and overthrow the democratically elected government, according to Information Minister Chernor Bah statement on Tuesday, November 28. 

“The attempt failed, and plenty of the leaders are either in police custody or on the run. We will try to capture them and bring them to the full force of the laws of Sierra Leone”, said the inspector General of Police.

The authorities have released images of 32 men and 2 women who are being sought in relation to the turmoil. These individuals consist of both current and former military and police personnel, as well as a few civilians. 

The government has confirmed that the attacks resulted in a minimum of 20 fatalities and approximately 2,200 prisoners managed to flee during the prison assaults.

On Tuesday, November 28 representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Nigeria arrived in Sierra Leone as a show of support and to gather information following an intrusion at the Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown. 

The delegation included Dr Imar Alieu Toure, the President of ECOWAS, Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Gen Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, and Gen Emmanuel Udiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence. 

They met with President Bio at the State House to deliver a message of goodwill from ECOWAS Chairman and Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, and other leaders of member states. 

ECOWAS expressed deep concern about recent events in the region, particularly the military takeovers in Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Ribadu emphasized that any actions that jeopardize democracy, peace, security, or stability in Sierra Leone would not be tolerated by ECOWAS or Nigeria.