Sierra Leone government announced on Monday the arrest of 57 individuals, primarily consisting of military personnel, in connection to a coup attempt that took place in November.
During the early hours of November 26, armed assailants raided a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons, and two police stations, engaging in clashes with security forces.
The violent confrontation resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals, including 14 soldiers, according to Chernor Bah, the information minister.
Deputy information minister Yusuf Keketoma Sandi disclosed to state radio on Monday that. However, he refrained from identifying any suspected leaders behind the November 26 attempt to overthrow the government.
According to a police source, armed officers conducted a raid on the residence of the capital’s deputy mayor, Kweku Lisk, on Monday. Over the weekend, 43 of the arrests were carried out, as confirmed by the deputy minister.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio stated on Saturday that the response to the coup attempt would be conducted within the boundaries of “respect for the law.”
The incident adds to a series of coups witnessed in West Africa since 2020, including occurrences in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the recent denounced “attempted coup” in Guinea-Bissau last Thursday and Friday.
