Sierra Leonean President Julius Bio has assured his country that the government’s response to last week’s attempted coup will be guided by “respect for the law.”
In a televised address, he stated that the incident would be treated as a matter of public order, not a political, tribal, or religious issue.
On November 26, armed attackers targeted a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons, and two police stations, engaging in a confrontation with security forces.
The clash resulted in 21 fatalities, including 14 soldiers, a policeman, a prison guard, a security guard, a woman, and three assailants. Information Minister Chernor Bah confirmed that the incident was a failed coup attempt aimed at overthrowing the democratically elected government.
According to reports, currently, 13 soldiers and one civilian suspected of involvement in the coup are in detention. Police have released photos and names of 34 individuals, including serving and retired soldiers and police officers, who are wanted as “fugitives.” A “handsome reward” has been promised for information leading to their capture.
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President Bio, re-elected in June for a second term, affirmed that all guilty parties, regardless of their status, will be held accountable within the confines of the law. He described the events as “clearly and unambiguously an attempted coup d’etat,” premeditated and coordinated to overthrow the democratically elected government by violent and illegal means.
This incident is part of a series of coups that have occurred in the West African region since 2020, affecting countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Guinea.