Dozens killed in Sierra Leone’s anti-government protest

By: Baillor Jalloh

As diaspora based Adebayor is implicated in inciting the unrest, Sierra Leone’s government has confirmed that 25 people were killed on Wednesday 10th August after violent protests erupted in parts of the country including the capital, Freetown. According to the country’s police force, six of their officers, four men and two women were brutally killed during the unrest in Freetown and the eastern part of the country in Makeni and Kamakwie. Meanwhile, 21 civilians were also killed allegedly by security forces. As investigations continue, the Police reports that it has arrested 130 people with further arrests expected in the coming days. 

Protesters chanting we want peace

What started as a peaceful demonstration against the rising cost of living, police brutality and corruption quickly escalated into a violent confrontation between protesters and security forces. At the start, protesters were chanting “we want peace and Maada must go,” while some of them were simultaneously hurling stones and burning tyres. The police were also seen to be spraying tear gas and firing live ammunition at the scenes. 

President Julius Maada Bio’s government has blamed the opposition for Wednesday’s violent incidents across the country. The main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party has distanced themselves from the violent protests and have urged all their supporters to refrain from violence. This comes after growing allegations that APC funded their Holland-based supporter, Adebayor who is said to have called for the unrest under the group he described as the People’s Power Party or PPP. 

A police station in flames after being burnt down by protesters

As the protest got out of control, a nationwide curfew starting at 3pm to 8am was announced by the country’s vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. President Bio who was on a private visit to London has since returned home and urged all Sierra Leoneans to be calm, promising the matter will be fully investigated. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations, the European Union and the United States have all condemned the violence and called for calm. Wednesday’s violence follows the two-day “sit at home” protests that took place on 8th and 9th August to highlight what organisers - People’s Power Party-  described as “their anger” towards the high cost of living and police brutality. 

The police have said they were not approached by any individual or organisation asking for a permit to stage any protests in the country