2023 Freetown attacks

Last updated
2023 Freetown attacks
Sierra Leone-CIA WFB Map.png
Location of Freetown in Sierra Leone
Date26 November 2023 – present
(1 week and 3 days)
Location
Freetown, Sierra Leone
8°29′4″N13°14′4″W / 8.48444°N 13.23444°W / 8.48444; -13.23444
Status
  • Armoury attack repelled
  • Prison escape successful
  • National curfew imposed
Belligerents

Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone

Dissident military officers, unidentified militants and prisoners
Commanders and leaders
Julius Maada Bio Unknown
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
14 soldiers, 1 police officer, 1 prison guard killed [1]
8 soldiers injured [2] 		3 attackers killed [2]
57 arrested [1]
1 civilian, 1 private security employee killed [2]

On 26 November 2023, a group of militants attacked several locations in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. [3] [4] [5] [6] The country was subsequently placed under a nationwide curfew, with a manhunt being called to find the militants. [5] President Julius Maada Bio claimed the attack was repelled by the security forces and said the government was in control of the situation. [3] [4] The attacks were described by international organizations as attempts to disrupt constitutional order in the country, and by information minister Chernor Bah as an "attempted coup." [7] [4] [8]

Contents

Background

The attacks came amid political tensions brought about by the reelection of President Julius Maada Bio in June 2023 which was disputed by the opposition and raised concerns from the United States and the European Union. In August, there were reports of a coup plot, which led to the arrest of several soldiers. [9]

Events

At around 4:30 in the morning [8] of 26 November 2023, a group of militants attacked the military armoury at the Wilberforce barracks in Freetown, Sierra Leone, [3] [4] close to the presidential residence. [5] Later the same morning, they broke into Central Pademba Road Prison in Freetown, releasing nearly its entire population of 1,890 inmates after the security forces retreated from the area. [5] [6] [10] Some of the inmates were reportedly seen walking around the Brookfields neighborhood. [11] Another prison was also attacked by the militants. [12] A Reuters correspondent saw cell doors forced open or removed entirely during a visit to Pademba prison after the jailbreak, with the head of the country's correctional services saying that the attackers rammed a vehicle through the prison's front gate after failing to open it with a rocket launcher. [13] At least 100 inmates later reported back to their prisons, [14] with one inmate claiming that military officers forcefully opened his cell during heavy gunfire and ordered him to leave. [15] The attackers were allegedly spotted in police vehicles, carrying stolen equipment. [3] They were also described as wearing uniforms and balaclavas. [2] Analysts put the possible number of attackers at about 50, including military officials and former rebel commanders. [10]

Other clashes were reported near Murray Town, home of the navy, as well as in another military site near Freetown. [3] Two guards assigned at the residence of former president Ernest Bai Koroma were also attacked, [6] with Koroma saying that one of them, a corporal, was killed and the other, a warrant officer was abducted. [16] Local media subsequently reported that the army had carried out a raid at his home, killing one guard and capturing another, while another member of Koroma's security team was killed in a separate clash. [10] Interior minister David Taluva said that the militants had attacked a police barracks and seized weapons from officers after running out of ammunition. [17] A BBC correspondent said he understood that the attackers were supposed to seize the presidential residence but moved on to the armoury after failing to overrun presidential security. [2]

Information Minister Chernoh Bah described the attacks as "co-ordinated and properly planned attacks on the security and wellbeing of our state". [16] The country was subsequently placed under a nationwide curfew, with a manhunt being called to find the militants. [5] President Julius Maada Bio claimed the attack was repelled by the security forces and that the government was in control of the situation. [3] [4] Some militants were captured, with video appearing to show uniformed personnel under arrest in the back or beside a military vehicle. [8] Many streets in Freetown were empty, with soldiers on patrol and checkpoints being set up. [18] Fighting was reported to have been pushed back to the outskirts of the capital. [19] That evening, Bio said in a televised address that most of the leaders of the attack, which he called a "breach of security" and an attack on democracy, had been arrested and that "calm had returned", while the curfew was shortened from 9 PM to 6 AM on 27 November. [2] [18] [16] Sierra Leone's civil aviation authority said the country's airspace remained open but asked airlines to reschedule their flights after the curfew is lifted. [8]

On 28 November, gunfire was reported in Murray Town, with authorities saying that it was part of a successful operation to capture a person of interest in the attacks. [9]

Casualties

The Sierra Leone army said 14 of its soldiers were killed fighting for the government, [1] while eight other personnel were injured. [2] It added that three attackers, one police officer, one prison guard, one civilian woman and a private security employee were also killed, placing the total death toll at 21. [1]

Perpetrators and motivations

The group responsible for the attacks is still unknown.

One of the militants, patrolling on a stolen police vehicle near the Wilberforce barracks, claimed their intent to "clean the society", and asserted not being after ordinary civilians. [6]

Information Minister Chernor Bah said that current and former military officials were among those involved. [16] An army spokesperson described the perpetrators as “renegade soldiers”. [13]

Aftermath

On 28 November, Information Minister Chernor Bah called the incident "a failed attempted coup" which was intended "to illegally subvert and overthrow a democratically elected government.” [20]

Police later released photographs of 32 men and two women it said were being sought in connection with the attacks, including include active and retired soldiers and police, as well as some civilians. [21]

On 28 November, 13 military officers and one civilian were arrested, while two vehicles carrying weapons and ammunition were recovered after being stolen by the attackers from the armoury. [22] Deputy information minister Yusuf Keketoma Sandi later announced o state radio that 43 people had been arrested over the weekend of 2-3 December, bringing the total number of arrests in relation to the incident to 57. This included 37 soldiers, 10 civilians, four dismissed soldiers, five active police officers and one retired police officer. [1]

Reactions

ECOWAS condemned the attacks, issuing a statement of "zero-tolerance for unconstitutional change of government" on 26 November and calling the incident an attempt to disrupt Sierra Leone's constitutional order. [3] [4] On 28 November, the bloc said it was primed to deploy regional support to "strengthen national security" in the country. [9] The bloc sent a delegation to meet with Bio on 27 November. On the same day, Bio also met with a separate delegation from Nigeria whom he said delivered “a message of solidarity” from ECOWAS. [14] Nigerian national security adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu warned that "anything that will interfere with democracy, peace, security and stability of Sierra Leone will not be accepted by ECOWAS and by Nigeria". [9]

The US embassy also condemned the attacks and offered continuous support to Sierra Leone in a social media statement. [4] The European Union's mission expressed concern and called for the respect of constitutional order. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sierra Leone</span> Country on the southwest coast of West Africa

Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It shares its southeastern border with Liberia, and the northern half of the nation is surrounded by Guinea. Covering a total area of 71,740 km2 (27,699 sq mi), Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, with diverse environments ranging from savanna to rainforests. The country has a population of 7,092,113 as of the 2015 census. Freetown is the capital and largest city. The country is divided into five administrative regions, which are subdivided into 16 districts.

Sierra Leone first became inhabited by indigenous African peoples at least 2,500 years ago. The Limba were the first tribe known to inhabit Sierra Leone. The dense tropical rainforest partially isolated the region from other West African cultures, and it became a refuge for peoples escaping violence and jihads. Sierra Leone was named by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra, who mapped the region in 1462. The Freetown estuary provided a good natural harbour for ships to shelter and replenish drinking water, and gained more international attention as coastal and trans-Atlantic trade supplanted trans-Saharan trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces</span> Combined armed forces of Sierra Leone

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces are the armed forces of Sierra Leone, responsible for the territorial security of Sierra Leone's borders and defending the national interests of Sierra Leone, within the framework of the 1991 Sierra Leone Constitution and International laws. The armed forces were formed after independence in 1961, on the basis of elements of the former British Royal West African Frontier Force, then present in the Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freetown</span> Capital, chief port, and the largest city of Sierra Leone

Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean and is located in the Western Area of the country. Freetown is Sierra Leone's major urban, economic, financial, cultural, educational and political centre, as it is the seat of the Government of Sierra Leone. The population of Freetown was 1,055,964 at the 2015 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foday Sankoh</span> Sierra Leonean warlord (1937–2003)

Foday Saybana Sankoh was the founder of the Sierra Leone rebel group Revolutionary United Front (RUF), which was supported by Charles Taylor-led NPFL in the 11-year-long Sierra Leone Civil War, starting in 1991 and ending in 2002. An estimated 50,000 people were killed during the war, and over 500,000 people were displaced in neighboring countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Paul Koroma</span> Military dictator of Sierra Leone from May 1997 to February 1998

Major Johnny Paul Koroma was a Sierra Leonean military officer who was the head of state of Sierra Leone from May 1997 to February 1998.

Valentine Esegragbo Melvine Strasser is a former Sierra Leonean military officer who served as head of state of Sierra Leone from 1992 to 1996. He became the world's youngest Head of State in 1992, seizing power three days after his 25th birthday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Saidu Momoh</span> President of Sierra Leone from 1985-92

Major General Joseph Saidu Momoh, OOR, OBE was a Sierra Leonean politician and military officer who served as the second President of Sierra Leone from November 1985 to 29 April 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julius Maada Bio</span> President of Sierra Leone since 2018

Julius Maada Wonie Bio is a Sierra Leonean politician, and the current president of Sierra Leone since 4 April 2018. He is a retired brigadier in the Sierra Leone Army and was the military head of state of Sierra Leone from 16 January 1996 to 29 March 1996, in a military junta government known as the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC).

The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002), or the Sierra Leonean Civil War, was a civil war in Sierra Leone that began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), with support from the special forces of Liberian dictator Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh government. The resulting civil war lasted 11 years, enveloping the country. It left over 50,000 dead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Lansana</span>

Brigadier David Lansana was the first prominent Sierra Leonean in the Sierra Leone Military during the colonial era. After Sierra Leone gained independence, he served as Military Attaché to the United States.

Solomon Anthony James Musa, also known as SAJ Musa, was an important military and political figure in the Sierra Leone Civil War.

Abass Chernor Bundu is a Sierra Leonean politician, diplomat, and the current Speaker of the Sierra Leone House of Parliament, in office since April 25, 2018. Bundu was elected speaker by receiving 70 votes in Parliament. The main opposition the All People's Congress, which won the most seats in Parliament, boycotted the election process in protest and did not nominate a candidate for speaker. Bundu is a veteran politician, and a very close ally and personal friend of Sierra Leone's president Julius Maada Bio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freetown Central Prison</span> Prison in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Freetown Central Prison, commonly known as Pademba Road Prison, is a prison on Pademba Road in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The prison was built to house 220 prisoners in the pre-independence era and now holds around 2,000 prisoners. Many prisoners were subject to prolonged stays in holding cells because of a massive backlog in court cases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Komeh Gulama Lansana</span>

Komeh Gulama Lansana was the wife of Brigadier David Lansana, Force Commander of the Sierra Leone Army until his execution in 1975.

Paul Kamara is a Sierra Leonean journalist, football manager, and cabinet minister.

Colonel Kahota M.S. Dumbuya commonly known as K.M.S. Dumbuya was a senior military officer in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces. K.M.S Dumbua was the late husband of the religious Sierra Leonean evangelist preacher Mammy Dumbuya.

Events in the year 2023 in Sierra Leone.

On 31 July 2023, Sierra Leonean authorities detained an undetermined number of soldiers and civilians who were allegedly planning a coup in Sierra Leone between 7 and 10 August against the government of Julius Maada Bio. While not explicitly using the term "coup," the police expressed their concern that despite ongoing endeavors to solidify the achieved peace and democratic progress, specific individuals persist in engaging in actions intended to disrupt the harmony and serenity of the nation. On 8 August, it was confirmed that the police arrested 19 people, including fourteen serving personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, two officers of the Sierra Leone Police, one retired chief superintendent of police and two other people, all of them accused of "state subversion". In addition, five military officers and three police officers were issued with a search and capture warrant.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sierra Leone: 57 arrests after attempted coup". Africanews. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Sierra Leone prison breaks: Thirteen soldiers killed in violence". BBC. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Sierra Leone imposes nationwide curfew after military barracks attacked". Al Jazeera. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Sierra Leone imposes nationwide curfew after armed clashes in capital". The Guardian. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sierra Leone under curfew as prisoners on the loose". BBC News. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Sierra Leone president says calm restored, most leaders of barracks attack detained". Reuters. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  7. ↑ Pronczuk, Monika; Johnson, Joseph (2023-11-28). "Sierra Leone Announces Arrest of 13 Military Officials in 'Attempted Coup'". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "S.Leone Govt Says In Control After Military Armoury Attacked". Barron's. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Sierra Leone violence: Sunday attacks were part of coup attempt - minister". BBC. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  10. 1 2 3 "Uneasy calm in Sierra Leone as Freetown uprising reveals underlying tension". Aljazeera. November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Alleged Escaped Prisoners Walk In Streets Of Sierra Leone's Freetown". Barron's. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Sierra Leone Hunts Gunmen, Tightens Security After Base Attack". Bloomberg. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  13. 1 2 "Twenty killed in Sierra Leone attack on military barracks, army says". Aljazeera. November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Sierra Leone's leader says most behind the weekend attacks are arrested, but few details are given". Associated Press. November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Boss La Returns to Pademba Road Prison". Sierra Leone Monitor. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Sierra Leone prison breaks were co-ordinated - minister". BBC. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Sierra Leone armoury attacked by 'renegades,' prisoners broken out". CBC. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Most leaders of the attacks on Sierra Leone's military barracks and prisons arrested as curfew eases". Associated Press. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  19. ↑ "S.Leone under curfew after military armoury attacked". France 24. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Sierra Leone violence was failed coup - minister". BBC. 2023-11-28. Archived from the original on 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  21. ↑ "Sierra Leone attacks were a failed coup attempt, officials say". Aljazeera. 2023-11-28. Archived from the original on 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  22. ↑ "13 Sierra Leone military officers are under arrest for trying to stage a coup". Africanews. November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
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