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.
The arrested retired chief superintendent, identified as Mohamed Yetey Turay, was detained between 5 and 6 August in Liberia, at the request of the Sierra Leone government. An extradition was granted. The fourteen armed forces officers arrested turned out to be eight middle-level officers and six non-commissioned officers, without revealing the specific ranks.
The fact that the government did not give more names of those arrested or their ranks led critics of Bio's government to conclude that there was no plot and that it was an excuse to repress the opposition, who rejected the electoral results in the past elections denouncing irregularities and violations of the electoral process.
On 15 August, police revealed the names and faces of 9 people, including military and police personnel and civilians, wanted for "Conspiracy to Commit Felony to wit, Subversion."
2023 Sierra Leone Military Barracks Attack
Main article: 2023 Freetown attacksOn November 26, 2023, unidentified gunmen attacked the central prison in Freetown, along with the presidential palace and an armory. A smaller attack occurred in Murray Town, where the Sierra Leonean navy is located. Julius Maada Bio declared a national curfew, and later thirteen officials were arrested in the attempted coup.
See also
- Coup Belt
- 1992 Sierra Leonean coup d'état
- List of coups and coup attempts
- List of coups and coup attempts since 2010
- 2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo coup d'état allegations
- 2023 Nigerien coup d'état
- 2023 Gabonese coup d'état
References
- étrangères, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires. "Terrorism: France's International Action". France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- Valentyna, Pustiva (1 August 2023). "В Сьерра-Леоне полиция арестовала подозреваемых в попытке переворота - СМИ" [In Sierra Leone, police arrested suspects in the coup attempt]. korrespondent.net (in Russian). Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- "Coup in West Africa: Police arrest military officers 'planning' to topple Sierra Leonean govt". Vanguard. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "'Coup Attempt': Sierra Leone police confirms arrest of 19 people, including top security officials". The Point. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Nyallay, Mohamed Jaward (21 August 2023). "Sierra Leone's alleged coup plot: The Facts and Fictions". Dubawa. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Abdul Rashid (8 August 2023). "Sierra Leone requests extradition of former Police Chief from Liberia for alleged coup plot". The Sierra Leone Telegraph. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- "Liberia extradites Sierra Leone's purported coup leader, as presidential candidate cries foul". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- "El principal opositor de Sierra Leona rechaza su derrota en las elecciones presidenciales". SWI swissinfo.ch (in Spanish). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- "La oposición de Sierra Leona rechaza en su totalidad las elecciones generales y exige su repetición en seis meses". Europa Press. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- Pronczuk, Monika; Johnson, Joseph (28 November 2023). "Sierra Leone Announces Arrest of 13 Military Officials in 'Attempted Coup'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- "Sierra Leone: Increased security is likely through early August following the alleged arrest of senior military personnel". Sierra Leone: Increased security is likely through early August following the alleged arrest of senior military personnel | Crisis24. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
- "Nationwide curfew declared in Sierra Leone after attack on army barracks in capital city - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
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